by Rod Pearson
Friday, Apr 11, 2025
Game Time: 9:10 pm ET, Saturday, April 12, 2025
Venue: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: Sportsnet LA
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Cubs +150, Dodgers -180; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Cubs +150, Dodgers -180; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Cubs +150, Dodgers -180; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
Season Record
Chicago Cubs: 9-6 (1st place, NL Central)
Los Angeles Dodgers: 10-4 (3rd place, NL West)
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Recent Form
Chicago Cubs: 7-3 last 10
Los Angeles Dodgers: 6-4 last 10
Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Analysis
The Cubs are entering this series off a loss but won their 3-game series against the Texas Rangers 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 9-6 record overall and have a road record of 5-2. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Dodgers on Saturday with the series opener still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 8th in the MLB with a .763 OPS. Matthew Boyd is their starting pitcher on Friday while Ben Brown is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 5 ER, 1 HR, and 4 BB with 5 Ks on 7 hits through 4 IP against the San Diego Padres.
The Dodgers are entering this series off a win but lost their 3-game series against the Washington Nationals 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 10-4 record overall and have a home record of 6-0. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Cubs on Saturday with the 1st game still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 5th in the MLB with a .775 OPS. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is their starting pitcher on Friday while rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 0-0 with a 4.15 ERA this season. His team won their last 3 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 1 earned run, 0 homers, and 2 BB with 4 strikeouts on 3 hits through 4 innings played against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Cubs vs Dodgers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Dodgers listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Dodgers have looked really good in their games this season with their 10-4 record overall which has them right in the middle of the NL West with a good start to the season. They have also looked great in their ballpark with their 6-0 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Cubs have looked good in their games this season with their 9-6 record overall which has them right at the top of the NL Central with a good start to the season. They have been a good road team too with their 5-2 road record this season. The Cubs are coming off a series win and their offense has looked great in their games this season, but the Dodgers also have one of the best offenses in the MLB and they will be looking to bounce back after taking a series loss to the Nationals. The Dodgers do have the better pitching matchup in this one too. They are going with Sasaki in this one and he is a rookie only making his 4th MLB start, but he has been great in his 3 starts so far and is coming off another good start which he didn't give up many runs in. The Cubs are going with Brown here and he hasn't been good this season. He has been giving up quite a few runs and just gave up 5 runs in his last start too. The Dodgers can take advantage of this better pitching matchup. The best way to place a bet here is on the Dodgers to win this game and on the runline.
Cubs Dodgers Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Saturday, April 12, 2025 (9:10 pm ET start time) is Dodgers 5 Cubs 1.
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MLB Betting Trends
Chicago Cubs: 87-88 (-10.6 units) on the moneyline vs. an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse. 109-122 (-18.9 units) on the moneyline vs. a team with a good bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 or better. 24-32 (-6.6 units) on the moneyline vs. a team with a good bullpen whose ERA is 3.45 or better. 30-17 OVER on the road vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 218-138 (+10.5 units) on the moneyline in all games. 112-54 (+11.6 units) on the moneyline as a home favorite of -110 or higher. 56-33 (+14.6 units) on the moneyline when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%). 71-37 OVER vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season.
Key Injuries
Chicago Cubs: J. Steele (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Elbow. R. Brasier (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Hip. V. Brujan (SS) Ten Day IL - Elbow. T. Miller (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Hip. J. Assad (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Oblique.
Los Angeles Dodgers: B. Snell (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Shoulder. F. Freeman (1B) Ten Day IL - Ankle. K. Hurt (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. E. Sheehan (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. C. Kershaw (SP) Sixty Day IL - Toe. M. Grove (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. E. Henriquez (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Foot. E. Phillips (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Shoulder. M. Kopech (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Shoulder. T. Gonsolin (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Back. B. Graterol (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. R. Ryan (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. G. Stone (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder.
Notable Quotes
“I think it’s a sign of just battling through at-bats as much as anything. I don’t know if we’re going to be a top-two team in walks, as we are right now, but I do think it’s the patience to make a pitcher work and to bring him to what we want to hit, is something we have the ability to do." - Craig Counsell after his team’s loss against the Rangers in their game on Wednesday.
"To cough up the lead when you score four runs in the first, it's really disheartening. But the way that guys just continue to play, and the Kiké play, and Andy showed some life, which is great for him. And then Teo just found a way to will himself to drive in a run. Those are things that are positives. It never feels good losing a series, but when you win that last one to salvage it, it's not so bad." - Dave Roberts after his team’s win against the Nationals in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Chicago Cubs
Ian Happ (S) LF
Kyle Tucker (L) RF
Seiya Suzuki (R) DH
Michael Busch (L) 1B
Dansby Swanson (R) SS
Nico Hoerner (R) 2B
Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) CF
Matt Shaw (R) 3B
Miguel Amaya (R) C
Los Angeles Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
Mookie Betts (R) SS
Tommy Edman (S) 2B
Teoscar Hernández (R) RF
Michael Conforto (L) LF
Will Smith (R) C
Max Muncy (L) 3B
Enrique Hernández (R) 1B
Andy Pages (R) CF
Statistical Leaders
Chicago Cubs
Batting Average: Carson Kelly (.333)
Hits: Kyle Tucker (19)
Home Runs: Kyle Tucker (5)
RBI: Kyle Tucker (16)
Stolen Bases: Pete Crow-Armstrong (6)
Wins: Justin Steele (3)
Saves: Ryan Pressly (3)
ERA: Matthew Boyd (0.00)
Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting Average: Will Smith (.353)
Hits: Shohei Ohtani (17)
Home Runs: Tommy Edman (5)
RBI: Teoscar Hernández (16)
Stolen Bases: Shohei Ohtani (3)
Wins: Anthony Banda (3)
Saves: Tanner Scott (3)
ERA: Ben Casparius (0.00)
Managers:
Chicago Cubs: Craig Counsell (2nd season)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Dave Roberts (10th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
