Cubs (7-4)
PK, o/u 8
at Dodgers (6-7), 10 p.m. Eastern
by Ultimatecapper.com Staff
The Chicago Cubs continue their current nine-game road trip with a stop in Southern California Monday to begin a three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Chicago is in second place in the National League Central, a half-game back of division-leading Houston.
Los Angeles is in third place in the NL West, two games back of first-place San Francisco.
The Cubs are 3-2 on the road this season, and 8-3 vs. the run line. The Dodgers are 2-4 at home on the season, and 7-6 vs. the run line.
Chicago won the season series with L.A. last year four games to two; the over/under went 3-2-1.
The Cubs just took two of three games from the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
The Dodgers just lost two of three to the Giants in L.A. in a series that saw a grand total of nine runs scored.
Cubs starter Greg Maddux (2-0, 1.46 ERA) is off to a great start this year, giving up just two earned runs in 12 1/3 innings pitched. Maddux made two starts vs. the Dodgers in 2004 and 2005, allowing three ER and 15 baserunners (hits + walks) in 12 1/3 IP.
Chicago went 15-20 in games Maddux started last year, while the o/u went 17-15.
L.A. starter Brett Tomko (1-0, 6.55 ERA) has given up eight ER and 19 BR in 11 IP in two starts this season, both away from pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium. Tomko started twice vs. the Cubs in ’05, allowing four ER and 12 BR in 14 IP.
San Francisco went a dismal 10-20 in games Tomko started last year, while the o/u went 17-11.
Chicago is hitting .288 as a team this season, averaging six runs per game. Cubs hitters have combined for a 29/58 bases on balls-to-strikeout ratio.
Los Angeles is fourth in MLB with 73 runs scored this season. Dodger hitters have combined for a .286 team batting average and a 51/64 BB/K ratio.
Cubs pitching owns a 4.08 team ERA this year, and the Chicago bullpen has been especially solid, with a combined 3.11 ERA. In its last 15 IP, the Cubs pen has allowed five ER and 17 BR.
Dodger pitching owns a 4.55 team ERA. The L.A. bullpen has struggled, posting an 0-5 record with a 4.25 ERA and two blown saves out of five chances. In their last 14 IP, Dodger relievers have allowed six ER and 23 BR.
Games played at Dodger Stadium are averaging 8.5 runs per game this year. This compares almost exactly with the 8.5 RPG at Dodger Stadium in ’05 and the 8.4 RPG in ’04.
L.A.’s Jeff Kent got beaned in the head Sunday night, and is doubtful for Monday’s game.
The o/u is a combined 13-11 in Cubs and Dodgers games this season.
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The Ultimatecapper Pick: No brainer here. Gotta ride the Maddux train. This guy is pitching like he's 25 again! Dodgers are likely to be without slugger Jeff Kent as well. We also think Tomko is a gas-can that should be out of baseball yet MLB teams keep buying his pitch to keep him on the field!
