Dodgers vs Cubs Odds, Predictions & Starting Pitchers (April 21)

• The Dodgers and Cubs meet on Friday afternoon at Wrigley
• Julio Urias and Drew Smyly will take the hill for their respective ball clubs
• Find the Dodgers vs Cubs odds, preview, and prediction below

The Los Angeles Dodgers (9-10, 3-4 away) continue a four-game set with the Chicago Cubs (11-6, 5-4 home) on Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 PM ET.

We have an intriguing matchup on the mound in the second contest of the series. Julio Urias gets the ball for the Dodgers, while veteran lefty Drew Smyly counters for the Cubbies. It’s the battle of the lefties.

Dodgers vs Cubs Odds

With their ace pitching, LA is a clear favorite with moneyline odds of -164. They’re also sitting at -1.5 on the runline. Chicago comes back at +138. The Dodgers have won 12 of the last 13 meetings ahead of Thursday’s series opener.

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Los Angeles vs Chicago Probable Pitchers

Not much is going right for Los Angeles early on, but Urias is a notable bright spot. The 26-year-old is dominating, posting a 3-1 record in four starts with a 1.90 ERA. He’s struck out 26 in 23.2 innings and walked just three batters.

Julio Urías winner by KO (80mph Slurve) 🥊 pic.twitter.com/fCvw1LEvSJ

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 16, 2023

Urias actually faced the Cubbies in his most recent outing, tossing 5.2 innings and surrendering three runs, with two being earned. Not as lights out as his first two appearances, but still respectable.

Urias vs Smyly Stats

Smyly has made three starts in 2023, compiling a 4.70 ERA and a 1-1 record in 15.1 innings. The veteran has 13 strikeouts during that span and just five walks. He also took the mound vs Los Angeles only four days ago and did a nice job of limiting the Dodgers, giving up a mere one run across 5.2 frames.

The left-hander is very familiar with a lot of these hitters and owns a 4.66 ERA in eight career appearances against them. This is just Smyly’s second start at home since the campaign began.

LAD vs CHC – Last 10 Games

Tough Start for Dodgers

For a team that is typically a legitimate contender, Los Angeles isn’t exactly playing well nearly a month into 2023. They’re a game below .500 prior to Thursday’s matchup and although their MLB lineup is still producing more or less, their biggest problem is pitching, most notably the back-end of the rotation and several bullpen arms.

JD doubles in Freddie Freeman to bring the #Dodgers within one, 3-2. pic.twitter.com/hqweZt49ps

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 19, 2023

Michael Grove’s ERA 9.00. Noah Syndergaard owns a 4.91 ERA. That’s just a couple of examples. The Dodgers also just dropped two of three to the Mets and had a difficult time scoring runs. On a more positive note, it’s early. This club has all the talent in the world to turn things around. It’s only a matter of time.

Cubbies a Dark Horse?

Chicago made a couple of wonderful signings this past winter, bringing in Dansby Swanson and Cody Bellinger. Adding those two to their impressive core is already paying off. The Cubs offense ranks top-five in nearly every category, smacking an MLB-best 10.1 hits per game and scoring 5.8 runs per night.

Nico Hoerner is slashing .347, while Swanson is batting .333. Bellinger is also just under .300. On the hill, Marcus Stroman is undoubtedly the ace with a mind-boggling 0.75 ERA while Justin Steele is also dealing. Chicago is on a four-game winning streak right now, too.

Dodgers vs Cubs Prediction

Both starters have ERAs over four against these respective teams. However, Urias is just looking too good lately. I expect him to bring his best Friday and quiet down the Cubs. LA will take this one.

Pick: Dodgers moneyline (-174)