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Dodgers vs Cubs Odds and Picks – Buehler vs Hendricks (May 3)

Paul Attfield

by Paul Attfield in MLB Baseball

Updated May 3, 2021 · 6:19 AM PDT

Kris Bryant admires his grand slam
Chicago Cubs' Kris Bryant follows the flight of his grand slam in the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, April 26, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
  • After snapping a three-game skid, the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Cubs Monday night in Chicago (May 3, 7:40 pm EST)
  • Walker Buehler (1-0, 3.16 ERA) will start for the Dodgers, while the Cubs turn to Kyle Hendricks (1-3, 7.54 ERA)
  • Read below for a preview and betting prediction for the game

So much for the offensive slumber. After being held to just seven runs through the first three games of their series with Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Dodgers bats broke out in a big way Sunday, powering the team to a 16-4 victory. It was likely a good warm up for the world champions’ next series, as the Dodgers, owners of the third-best offense in the NL (148 runs), visit the Cubs, the team with the second-worst team ERA (5.01).

Dodgers vs Cubs Odds

Team Runline Runline at FanDuel Total
Los Angeles Dodgers OFF -176 OFF
Chicago Cubs Off +148 OFF

Odds taken May 2nd.

Given the disparity in both the teams’ records and the ERA of the starting pitchers, it’s little wonder that Los Angeles is a -176 favorite in the Dodgers vs Cubs odds. The 17-12 Dodgers are battling with the Giants and Padres at the top of the NL West, while the 12-16 Cubs are sitting in last place in the NL Central.

Walker’s Way

Walker Buehler had thrown four straight quality starts before a slight ripple in his last outing saw him give up a season-high five runs, but he still has an ERA of 3.16 and hasn’t taken a loss since 2019.

However, games against the Cubs haven’t always been kind to the right-hander. He has pitched against the North Siders on three occasions, but is 0-1 with a 5.27 ERA in those appearances.

His track record at Wrigley Field, however, is respectable, with Buehler lasting 5.2 innings in his only start there, giving up four hits and three earned runs in a no-decision.

Cubs Career Stats vs Buehler

Player AB H HR RBI K AVG.
Javier Baez 7 1 1 3 1 .143
Kris Bryant 6 3 0 0 0 .500
Willson Contreras 3 1 0 0 0 .333
Ian Happ 1 1 0 0 0 1.000
Jason Heyward 6 1 0 1 1 .167
Jake Marisnick 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Anthony Rizzo 6 1 0 0 0 .167
Tony Wolters 17 1 0 1 4 .059
2024 World Series Odds Tracker
Read More

Hendricks Holding His Own

When it comes to his favorite opponent this year, Kyle Hendricks’s choice of team is clear – anyone but the Atlanta Braves. The right-hander has allowed 14 runs in two games against Atlanta, and just five runs in 15 innings against other teams, which includes just two runs in 12 innings against NL-leading Milwaukee.

Adding to that vote of confidence is his track record in the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field, where he has a career ERA of just 2.65 and a record of 37-22 in 90 starts.

However, his track record against the Dodgers is far from sparkling. Hendricks has a 2-3 record in five starts, with a 6.00 ERA against the reigning world champions.

Dodgers Career Stats vs Hendricks

Player AB H HR RBI K AVG.
Matt Beaty 2 2 1 2 0 1.000
Mookie Betts 2 0 0 0 0 .000
Max Muncy 6 3 1 1 0 .500
AJ Pollock 6 1 1 1 1 .167
Corey Seager 2 0 0 1 0 .000
Chris Taylor 2 0 0 0 0 .000
Justin Turner 11 4 2 4 2 .364

Beaty, Pollock Warm Up In Style

For two guys with track records of success, albeit limited and a small sample size, against Hendricks, both Matt Beaty and AJ Pollock got their bats properly warmed up on Sunday. The Nos. 6 and 7 hitters in the Dodgers lineup became the first pair of Los Angeles teammates with at least seven RBIs each.

Pollock became the seventh player in team history to have eight RBI in a game, while Beaty was close behind with seven, while both hit grand slams in Sunday’s one-sided victory.

Cubs Break Out

While they didn’t quite match the Dodgers in the run stakes on Sunday, the Cubs were equally happy swinging away, notching five home runs and racking up 12 runs in a 13-12 loss in Cincinnati against the Reds.

The main man in the midst of it all was Kris Bryant, who had three hits, two home runs, 10 total bases and drove in three runs. Though he has yet to homer against Buehler, he does know how to get hits off him, as his .500 career average attests.

Could Monday be the time for Bryant to break out?

Pick: Chicago Cubs Moneyline (+144)

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