Chicago Cubs @ Los Angeles Dodgers – Series Preview (July 7-10): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4
The Cubs have won seven of their last 10 games and they’re playing their best baseball this season, taking four straight series against teams that aren’t exactly pushovers. The starting pitching has been much better despite numerous injuries to the rotation, setting the stage for big victories against the Cardinals, Red Sox, and Brewers.
Things certainly do not get easier as the Cubs head to LA for four games against the mighty Dodgers. Los Angeles has gotten hot again to move comfortably into first place in the National League West with a 52-29 record that includes three straight wins.
The offense is loaded, with Mookie Betts (18 HR) and Freddie Freeman (.840 OPS) putting up big numbers. Trea Turner is having a breakout season with 99 hits and the second-highest fWAR (f3.2) on the team behind Betts (3.4). Amazing how a big-market team has been able to maintain a group of homegrown players while also adding via trades and free agency, maybe Cubs brass can take some notes over the weekend.
It’s not just the explosive offense, as the Dodgers’ pitching is neck and neck with the Yankees for the best in baseball. Julio Urías, Tony Gonsolin, and Tyler Anderson have been the surprising standouts in the rotation as established stars Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler have battled injuries.
On paper, the odds are not very good for the Cubs going into this series. That being said, they have been playing very well against good teams lately and have managed to put up some excellent performances against the Dodgers.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Thursday, July 7 at 9:10pm CT on Marquee Sports Network
- Friday, July 8 at 9:10pm CT on MLB Network (out of market only) and Marquee Sports Network.
- Saturday, July 9 at 9:10pm CT on MLB Network (out of market only) and Marquee Sports Network.
- Sunday, July 10 at 3:10pm CT on Marquee Sports Network.
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | FIP | K/BB |
| 7/7 | Mark Leiter Jr. | 31 | R | 4.85 | 2-2 | 6.61 | 2.25 |
| Tony Gonsolin | 28 | R | 1.54 | 10-0 | 3.30 | 3.35 | |
| 7/8 | Keegan Thompson | 27 | R | 3.41 | 7-3 | 3.80 | 2.75 |
| Tyler Anderson | 32 | L | 3.09 | 9-1 | 3.33 | 4.78 | |
| 7/9 | TBA | ||||||
| Clayton Kershaw | 34 | L | 2.57 | 5-2 | 2.87 | 4.92 | |
| 7/10 | TBA | ||||||
| Julio Urías | 25 | L | 2.57 | 7-6 | 3.94 | 3.95 |
What to Watch For
- Seiya Suzuki had four hits in his first two games back in the lineup, including a pair of home runs.
- Marcus Stroman and Drew Smyly have been rehabbing and both could start this weekend.
- Willson Contreras is still nursing a sore hamstring and his status is uncertain.
