Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 5/8/2022

Time: 7:08 p.m. ET

Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

Where to watch: ESPN

DraftKings: Dodgers -200, Cubs +170

BetMGM: Dodgers -200, Cubs +165

Caesars: Dodgers -200, Cubs +175

Dodgers: 17-7

Cubs: 9-16

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs will wrap up their four-game series on Sunday Night Baseball, and if you wanted to experience true pitching on SNB, you're in for a treat with this one. Walker Buehler will be taking on Marcus Stroman.

The Dodgers made quick work of their doubleheader against Chicago, winning 7-0 in the first game with Clayton Kershaw on the bump, followed by Tyler Anderson going five innings and striking out seven.

"Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good," said Kershaw, who is off to a 4-0 start with a 1.80 ERA. "Those first couple innings, they hit a lot of balls hard and right at guys. The wind was swirling, pushing the ball in a little bit."

Kershaw continued his dominant start after throwing seven scoreless innings. He only needed to strike out two batters, but he dominated the Chicago lineup with plenty of popouts and plenty of groundouts. 

In the nightcap, Mookie Betts homered in the ninth inning to cap off a 2-for-5, 5-RBI night, as the Dodgers had six runs on just three hits. Not even joking. Los Angeles had only three hits, but the Dodgers drew nine walks in the 6-2 win.

Probably a good indication on how bad the Cubs are at this current moment. Any early-season momentum they've garnered with the excitement of Seiya Suzuki and the top of the pitching rotation has quickly fizzled away. Drew Smyly went on.y 4.1 innings in his start.

"I think he's throwing great," manager David Ross said. "I think eight days off is tough to be sharp. We saw first inning uncharacteristic of him not consistent with where he wanted to go. I think the rust got knocked off but threw extremely well, to be honest with you. Just high pitch count, eight days off and got up to 100. The most he's been at. I thought he threw well and gave us a chance to win."

Buehler is coming off his first ever shutout on April 25 against Arizona, while Stroman is coming off his first win with the Cubs, a seven-inning scoreless run in Milwaukee.

The Dodgers have done well having won five straight after losing three of four. That series loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks might have been an early-season wake-up call that they're not going to let up any time soon. If Kershaw is mowing through this lineup, imagine what Buehler can do. Dodgers win 6-0

Dodgers are 36-17 the past three years as a road favorite of -175 or more.

Dodgers are 126-66 agaisnt right-handed starters the past three seasons.

Dodgers are 23-5 in Buehler's starts when they are a favorite between -175 and -250.

Cubs are 9-20 the past three seasons as a home dog of +125 or more.

Cubs are 3-25 since 1997 as a home underdog of +175 or more.

Dodgers:
Mookie Betts (R) RF
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Trea Turner (R) SS
Justin Turner (R) 3B
Max Muncy (L) DH
Chris Taylor (R) LF
Cody Bellinger (L) CF
Austin Barnes (R) C
Gavin Lux (L) 2B
SP - Walker Buehler

Cubs:
Willson Contreras (R) C
Seiya Suzuki (R) RF
Yan Gomes (R) DH
Patrick Wisdom (R) LF
Frank Schwindel (R) 1B
Nico Hoerner (R) SS
Jonathan Villar (S) 3B
Michael Hermosillo (R) CF
Nick Madrigal (R) 2B
SP - Marcus Stroman

Batting average: Freddie Freeman -- .299

Hits: Freddie Freeman -- 26

Home runs: Two tied -- 4

RBI: Trea Turner -- 19

Wins: Walker Buehler -- 3

Saves: Craig Kimbrel -- 5

ERA: Julio Urias

Batting average: Ian Happ -- .292

Hits: Two tied -- 21

Home runs: Patrick Wisdom -- 5

RBI: Two tied -- 15

Wins: Keegan Thompson -- 2

Saves: David Robertson -- 5

ERA: Marcus Stroman -- 5.13