Dodgers vs Cubs Odds, Picks, Predictions (March 19)

• The Los Angeles Dodgers are -155 moneyline favorites over the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the MLB Tokyo Series on Wednesday
• Prized Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki makes his MLB debut for LA, while Chicago counters with Justin Steele (5-5, 3.07 ERA in ’24)
• Keep reading for the Dodgers vs Cubs odds, picks and predictions for March 19, below

MLB’s Tokyo Series continues Wednesday morning with round two between the LA Dodgers (1-0) and Chicago Cubs (0-1). Chicago’s bats didn’t travel with them for the first meeting, and I’m betting on a similar outcome in the series finale. Online sportsbooks agree, pegging the Dodgers as chalk in the MLB odds. First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 am PT / 6:10 am ET from the Tokyo Dome, with FS1 providing the broadcast coverage.

Dodgers vs Cubs Odds

Los Angeles is currently a -155 moneyline favorite, and -1.5 on the run line at +105 odds. The total sits at 8, with the Cubs coming back as a +130 underdog.

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Dodgers vs Cubs Predictions

My prediction is that the Chicago bats struggle in their first meeting with Sasaki. The 23-year-old starred for Chiba Lotte in the Japanese League over the last four seasons, and was sought after in the international free agent market. Ultimately, the World Series odds favorite Dodgers won his rights, adding to their already loaded pool of riches.

Sasaki’s stuff is downright nasty. His fastball clocks in just shy of 100 mph, and his split fingered fastball is among the best in the world already according to scouts. He stymied the Reds in his Spring Training debut, earning heavy praise from the Cincy batters. Veterans of the Reds lineup called his array of pitches “nasty”, “electric” and “heavy”. He struck out 10.5 batters per 9 innings in the JPPL, yielding a minuscule 0.2 HR/9 rate.

Chicago didn’t earn a hit after the 3rd inning in Tuesday’s loss, and managed only a single run all game. They scored only five times in two exhibition games against Japanese teams last week, and are still waiting for their bats to wake up. A matchup with Sasaki is not a recipe for success.

Roki Sasaki (JPPL) vs Justin Steele 2024 Stats

As for the Dodger bats, they’ll be shorthanded once again. Big money stars Mookie Betts has already been ruled out due to an illness, while Freddie Freeman is a legit question mark. Freeman was scratched from the season opener less than an hour before first pitch on Tuesday. He’s dealing with a left rib injury, the same issue he played through during LA’s championship run. He put his chances to play at around 75%, but we won’t know his status until closer to game time.

To most teams, losing two players of that caliber would be devastating. However, the Dodgers are not most teams. There are All-Stars up and down this lineup. Homegrown hero and MLB MVP odds favorite Shohei Ohtani is the main attraction, and didn’t disappoint the fans in Game 1. Ohtani was 2-for-5, with a pair of runs scored. Newly acquired Michael Conforto got on the board with a hit, as did sluggers Will Smith and Teoscar Hernandez. Freeman’s addition would be a boost, but this lineup is incredibly dangerous even without him.

That’s bad news for Cubs starter Justin Steele. The left-hander is working his way back from hamstring and forearm injuries, that limited his 2024 campaign to 24 starts. Steele is a year removed from a 16-win season, but last year his strikeout numbers were down and his home run rate was up. LA was top-3 in home runs a season ago, and will be looking for their first long ball of 2025 on Wednesday.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Picks

• LA Dodgers Moneyline (-155) at Bet365

Which leads me to my favorite Dodgers vs Cubs pick. I’m targeting LA on the moneyline to complete the mini two-game sweep. I expect Chicago to struggle facing a unique talent like Sasaki for the first time. I’m also confident the Dodgers can find success regardless of if Freeman plays or not.

LA batters crushed left handed pitching last season to the tune of a .460 slugging percentage and .800 OPS. They also beat up on the Cubs bullpen on Tuesday, smacking seven hits and scoring four times in just 4 innings. Whether it’s Steele or a cast of relievers after his exit, I’m betting the Dodger hitters put on a show in Tokyo.