It’s By no means Enjoyable to Head West, But This is as Good a Time As Ever – Cubs vs Dodgers Sequence Preview

Cubs vs Dodgers — From the journey to the beginning instances to the final and routine awesomeness of the groups in that division, touring out West isn’t enjoyable for the Cubs (or us). HOWEVER, if you’re going to face the Dodgers and Padres in six-straight video games, just like the Cubs will beginning tonight, it positive helps to come back in with a nine-game successful streak.

And it’s even higher once you get the Dodgers taking part in with out Mookie Betts, Tommy Edman, Bobby Miller, Enrique Hernandez, and Edwin Diaz (amongst many others). And it’s a borderline dream once you mix all of that with the truth that the schedule labored out extraordinarily within the Cubs’ favor: No Yoshinobu Yammamoto, no Shohei Ohtani, and no Tyler Glasnow beginning in opposition to us this weekend.

It severely doesn’t get any higher than that.

Well, really, that’s a lie. Because, relying on how you’re feeling about Colin Rea and Jameson Taillon, the Cubs usually are not precisely beginning their greatest arms within the first two video games both. And the bullpen is … effectively, awful with accidents. Ravaged, even. I genuinely don’t know who the nearer is, if we even have one.

But the excellent news is that the Cubs’ offense has been scorching scorching, together with video games in opposition to good starters like Cristopher Sanchez. So possibly, with some luck, they’ll escape LA with a few wins that don’t require extraordinarily high-leverage, late-inning appearances.

If you’re on the lookout for extra information on who’s scorching or not on the Cubs proper now, I’ll simply level you to my up to date Chicago Cubs Power Rankings. I ran via the current and full-season efficiency of each participant on the energetic roster and ranked them.

Note: Tonight (AppleTV+) and tomorrow’s recreation (FOX) are each nationwide. And in opposition to the Dodgers. So if the Cubs do handle to win the sequence this weekend, individuals are going to be actually shopping for the Cubs nationally — at the least, greater than they’re proper now. The caveats of SP apply. But beating the Dodgers in two out of three of their home is at all times a win.

Cubs vs Dodgers – Pitching Probables:

Game 1: Friday, April 24 at 9:15 PM CT at Dodger Stadium
Broadcast Info: AppleTV+, 104.3 The Score

• Cubs: Jameson Taillon, RHP
• Dodgers: Emmett Sheehan, RHP

Game 2: Saturday, April 25 at 6:15 PM CT at Dodger Stadium
Broadcast Info: FOX, 104.3 The Score

• Cubs: Colin Rea, RHP
• Dodgers: Roki Sasaki, RHP

Game 3: Sunday, April 26 at 3:10 PM CT at Dodger Stadium
Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 104.3 The Score

• Cubs: Shota Imanaga, LHP
• Dodgers: Justin Wrobleski, LHP

Cubs vs Dodgers – Key Injuries:

Chicago Cubs:

• Hunter Harvey, RP
• Porter Hodge, RP
• Phil Maton, RP
• Daniel Palencia, RP
• Ethan Roberts, RP
• Jordan Wicks, SP
• Tyler Austin, IF/OF (60-Day IL)
• Cade Horton, SP (60-Day IL)
• Shelby Miller, RP (60-Day IL)
• Justin Steele, SP (60-Day IL)
• … and doubtless Caleb Thielbar, RP (TBD)

Los Angeles Dodgers:

• Tommy Edman, IF/OF
• Mookie Betts, SS
• Brusdar Graterol, RP
• Brock Stewart, RP
• Blake Snell, SP
• Landon Knack, SP
• Ben Casparius, RP
• Edwin Diaz, RP
• Evan Phillips, RP
• Jake Cousins, RP
• Enrique Hernadez, IF/OF
• Bobby Miller, Rp
• Gavin Stone, SP