Cubs vs Dodgers Predictions, Expert Picks & How to Watch (Apr 24)

• Two of the most iconic franchises matchup as the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Chicago Cubs
• Will the Dodgers cruise to a victory, or do the Cubs get the upset victory as the road underdogs?
• You’ll want to keep reading to see predictions, latest odds, and how to watch this game!

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The Los Angeles Dodgers (17-8) welcome the Chicago Cubs (16-9) to UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium for Game 1 of their series on April 24 at 10:15 PM ET. Entering this clash, both clubs boast high-powered offenses that are firing on all cylinders. The home-favorite Dodgers recently cruised to an 8-2 victory over the New York Mets, fueled by a four-homer barrage and a scoreless start from superstar Shohei Ohtani. Meanwhile, the road-underdog Cubs destroyed the Philadelphia Phillies 11-2, racking up 15 hits to easily cover the runline behind a solid outing from ace Shota Imanaga.

With two of the league’s top records colliding, I have plenty to chew on from a betting perspective. Can Chicago’s potent lineup pull off an upset on the road, or will Los Angeles defend home turf with their elite roster? I will evaluate the starting pitching, offensive firepower, and everything you need to find a mathematical edge before the first pitch.

Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers Picks & Predictions

I am attacking this matchup by targeting the obvious pitching vulnerabilities on both sides. To set the stage for my projections, we need to look closely at the men taking the mound. Both starters have flashed early-season weaknesses that these potent offenses will look to exploit.

Jameson Taillon vs Emmet Sheehan

At first glance, Jameson Taillon’s 3.97 ERA appears passable, but his underlying metrics paint a concerning picture. Taillon carries a bloated 6.06 FIP, and his most glaring struggle is keeping the ball in the yard. Allowing 2.38 home runs per nine innings is a dangerous tightrope to walk against a Dodgers lineup constructed to launch the ball over the fence. On the other side, Emmet Sheehan’s surface-level 5.85 ERA is alarming. Like Taillon, Sheehan struggles with the long ball (1.80 HR/9), but where he falters most is general traffic on the basepaths, evidenced by his 1.40 WHIP.

To truly gauge how this matchup will unfold, I also look at how these squads perform at a macro level.

Team Stats Comparison

The Cubs plate a staggering 6.00 runs per game on the road, relying on a contact-heavy approach (.263 away AVG) to string together base hits. This matches up beautifully against Sheehan, who allows an elevated opponent batting average of .260. Conversely, the Dodgers generate a massive 91.1 mph average exit velocity at home. Facing Taillon, Los Angeles’ high-octane exit velocities could easily translate into a flurry of extra-base hits.

Here is how I am betting Game 1 based on these statistical mismatches:

• Moneyline Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers (-160 on BetMGM)
  
  Despite Sheehan’s rocky start, Los Angeles has the sheer firepower to outpace Chicago. With heavy hitters like Max Muncy and Shohei Ohtani lurking, the Dodgers can cover up their own pitching deficiencies.

• Over/Under Prediction: Over 9 (-108 on DraftKings)
  
  With Sheehan surrendering loud contact and Taillon struggling to keep the ball in the yard, I expect a high-scoring affair that clears the total early.

• Best Player Prop: Emmet Sheehan Over 2.5 Earned Runs (+110 on Caesars Sportsbooks)
  
  Given Sheehan’s inflated ERA and concerning 3.60 BB/9 rate, getting plus money on him to give up at least three runs against a hot Cubs lineup provides tremendous value.

Odds as of April 24, 2026, at 12:43 PM ET from Caesars Sportsbook, bet365, and DraftKings

Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers Odds & Betting Splits

Odds as of April 24, 2026, at 12:47 PM ET from Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, and BetMGM

Looking at the current MLB odds, Los Angeles sits as a clear home favorite. Tracking the line movement reveals a fascinating divide between public perception and sharp action. The game total originally opened at 9.5 but has since been bet down to a flat 9.

I am seeing an intriguing dynamic in the MLB public betting percentages and moneyline market. The Dodgers command 80% of the tickets, but Los Angeles holds just 55% of the overall stake. This indicates larger, potentially sharper wagers are quietly backing Chicago to pull off the road upset, even though my official prediction leans toward the home side’s raw power. When it comes to the total, the public and heavy hitters are aligned: an overwhelming 81% of tickets and 88% of the money back the Over. On the runline, bettors are aggressively laying the runs with the home favorites, with 89.9% of the handle backing Los Angeles to cover the spread.

Team Betting Trends

• Chicago boasts an elite 71.4% win rate as a betting underdog (5-2).
• The Cubs have gone undefeated (6-0) as the favorite over their last 10 matchups.
• The Over has hit in 70.0% of Chicago’s last 10 contests.
• Los Angeles holds a strong 63.6% win rate when playing as the betting favorite (14-8).
• The Under has cashed in 70.0% of the Dodgers’ last 10 contests.

Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers Injury Report

When evaluating the betting landscape, the injury report is a critical factor. Both clubhouses are currently dealing with a staggering number of unavailable players, heavily impacting the available bullpen depth for Game 1.

For the Dodgers, navigating the absence of superstar shortstop Mookie Betts is the primary offensive hurdle. However, the most actionable betting takeaway lies in the pitching staff. Both teams are marching out with heavily depleted bullpens. Los Angeles is missing high-leverage stoppers like Edwin Díaz, while the Cubs are similarly battered on the mound, losing Caleb Thielbar to a recent hamstring issue. If Taillon or Sheehan is chased early, neither manager has their full arsenal of high-leverage relievers available to stop the bleeding. This battered pitching landscape heavily reinforces my prediction of a high-scoring affair that comfortably cashes the Over.

How To Watch

• Time: 10:15 PM ET
• Television/Streaming: Apple TV