Cubs vs. Dodgers: Game 3 predictions, odds and picks — Sept 11, MLB 2024

Despite touting one of the most esteemed rosters in baseball, the Dodgers ran into the red-hot Chicago Cubs at the wrong time. On Wednesday, Shohei Ohtani and company will seek to avoid a series sweep at the hands of the Cubs.

After rolling over LA 10-4 in the opening game of the series, Chicago pitcher Shota Imanaga regrouped after surrendering three solo shots on Tuesday. The Japanese rookie tossed seven innings, striking out four. Wednesday's series finale will get underway at 7:10 PDT from Dodger Stadium in LA.

Cubs vs Dodgers recent form and records

Though they have cooled somewhat, the Cubs remain a very hot team. 6-4 in their last ten, Chicago won 12 of 13 between August 20 and September 2. Having ascended to second place in the NL Central, manager Craig Counsell's team remains four games behind the New York Mets for the third and final NL Wild Card slot.

Fresh off of a convincing series win over the Cleveland Guardians, the Dodgers maintain a 4.5-game lead over the Padres in the NL West. 86-59, and 5-5 in their last ten, LA will go on a road trip to face the Braves and Miami Marlins after the culmination of their home series against the Cubs.

Players to Watch

Starting Pitchers

CHC: Jordan Wicks (2-3, 4.03 ERA) vs LAD: Bobby Miller (2-4, 7.79 ERA)

Wicks has a 1.421 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 36 K in 38 IP.

Last Start: Loss, 5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K vs NYY

Career vs LAD: 0-1 3.86 ERA (4.2 IP, 2 ER) 0 HR in 1 Game

Miller has a 1.651 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 48 K in 49.2 IP.

Last Start: Loss, 5 IP, 5 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 8 K vs LAA

Career vs CHC: 0-1 27.00 ERA (1.2 IP, 5 ER) 1 HR in 1 Game

Must Watch Hitters

Cubs

Former first round pick and rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong is putting on a clinic. A .381 hitter over the past two weeks, the youngster has contributed with a home run and 10 RBIs in his past twelve games.

Former Dodger Cody Bellinger has also been a strong hitter recently. Despite being 11 for his last 47, Bellinger has 3 home runs and 9 RBIs in his past 11 games. Moreover, Bellinger is a career .333 hitter against his former club.

Second baseman Nico Hoerner has 3 stolen bases and 3 RBIs in his past 11 games, while posting a .357 batting average. Hoerner is a career .347 hitter against LA.

Dodgers

Mookie Betts' 1.126 OSP over the past two weeks ranks ninth in MLB over that period. The former Boston Red Sox MVP has missed some significant time this season, but his .397 on-base percentage continues to rank first among qualified NL hitters.

Shortstop Tommy Edman has been getting it done at his position. In addition to strong fielding, Edman has nine RBIs in his past 13 games, and brings a .278 batting average with 8 career home runs against the Cubs to Wednesday's game.

With 46 home runs and 47 steals on the season, Shohei Ohtani is on the verge of becoming the first player in MLB history to hit the 50/50 club. Watch out for the superstar to inch closer still on Wednesday.

Cubs vs Dodgers baseball betting odds

Wednesday 9/11	Money Line	Run Spread	Total Runs
Chicago Cubs	+ 145	+`1.5 -145	O 9 +100
Los Angeles Dodgers	- 175	- 1.5 +120	U 9 -120

Cubs vs Dodgers expert picks and game prediction

Although the Cubs have certainly occupied the balance of the play this series, the Dodgers have only dropped two three-game sets all season long. Chicago and LA rank second and third, behind the Arizona Diamondbacks, in total runs scored over the past two weeks.

Neither Jordan Wicks nor Bobby Miller have particularly strong records against each other's teams. However, Chicago has pitched much better than LA, as they own a combined 3.42 ERA since August 26, compared to LA's 5.04 figure, which ranks 26th in MLB in that time.

Run Line: +1.5 -145

Total Runs: U 9 -120

Prediction: Dodgers W, 5-2