Dodgers vs. Cubs Pick
Are the host Chicago Cubs going to beat Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLCS Thursday night? First pitch is at 8:08PM EST.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Dodgers are a -170 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Cubs are a +145 underdog and the over-under is 7.5.
Chicago stayed alive Wednesday night with a 3-2 victory in Game 4. Los Angeles has won seven of 10 meetings this season, although the Cubs’ win yesterday snapped a six-game winning streak by LA over Chicago. The over-under is 1-8-1 in the 10 games.
Pitching for the Dodgers will be Clayton Kershaw (18-4, 2.31 ERA), while the Cubs turn to Jose Quintana (11-11, 4.15). Kershaw had a 0.95 WHIP with 202 strikeouts over 175 innings during the regular season. He allowed two earned runs on four hits with four strikeouts and one walk over five innings in a 5-2 victory in Game 1 of the series. He has allowed six earned runs in 11 1/3 innings this postseason. Quintana carried a 1.22 WHIP with 207 strikeouts in 188 2/3 innings in the regular season. He surrendered two earned runs on two hits with four strikeouts and two walks in five innings of the Game 1 loss. He has given up three runs (two earned) over 11 1/3 innings in the regular season.
In Game 4, Javier Baez was 2-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs to lead the way. Willson Contreras added a solo home run of his own. Jake Arrieta gave up one earned run on three hits with nine strikeouts and five walks over 6 2/3 innings to pick up the win. Justin Turner was 2-for-2 with a home run and two walks for the Dodgers. Alex Wood allowed three earned runs 4 2/3 innings to get the loss.
Los Angeles is 75-35 in its last 109 games overall.
Kershaw looked strong in Game 1 aside from one two-run homer against him. He then turned the ball over to the bullpen, which did the rest of the work. That could be the same formula in this game. Quintana has been good during the playoffs, but with such a tight window for error in this contest it’s difficult to imagine him outdueling Kershaw here.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES DODGERS -170