Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Prediction for Monday August 3 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers visit the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, on Monday, August 3, 2026. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET, with coverage available on SportsNet LA and Marquee Sports Network. Los Angeles enters at 69-42 overall and 36-20 on the road, while Chicago is 63-48 overall and 31-23 at home. The available market lists the Dodgers around -127 and the Cubs near +105, although a widely available run line and total had not been posted. Before wagering on Monday’s matchup, check out our free MLB picks.
Starting Pitchers
Justin Wrobleski is expected to start for Los Angeles. The left-hander is 11-2 with a 2.88 ERA and has allowed 94 hits, 21 walks and 12 home runs across 112.2 innings while recording 87 strikeouts. Chicago is scheduled to counter with Matthew Boyd, who is 6-1 with a 3.41 ERA. Boyd has surrendered 60 hits, 19 walks and six home runs over 66 innings while striking out 60. Both starters have performed effectively this season, although Wrobleski brings the stronger record and lower ERA into the series opener.
Los Angeles Begins a Difficult Road Series
Los Angeles has gone 2-3 across its previous five completed games. The Dodgers lost 7-6 against Seattle before responding with consecutive victories by scores of 4-2 and 6-2. Their offense then cooled considerably against Boston, losing the first two games of that series 9-4 and 3-2. Despite those recent defeats, Los Angeles remains 27 games above .500 and owns one of baseball’s strongest road records.
The Dodgers are batting .262 with a .341 on-base percentage and a .433 slugging percentage. Los Angeles has collected 980 hits, hit 143 home runs and scored 568 runs. The Dodgers hold a statistical advantage over Chicago in batting average, hits, home runs and slugging percentage. Their combination of consistent contact and extra-base power has made the offense difficult to contain over an entire series.
Los Angeles also carries a 3.60 team ERA, providing the visitors with the better season-long run-prevention numbers. That pitching advantage becomes more meaningful with Wrobleski scheduled to start. His 2.88 ERA and strong control have helped him build an 11-2 record, and avoiding walks should be particularly valuable against a Chicago lineup capable of extending innings. The Dodgers have lost consecutive games, but their overall offensive and pitching profile remains among the strongest in baseball.
Chicago Counters With Its Strong Home Form
Chicago has gone 3-2 over its previous five completed games. The Cubs opened that stretch with a convincing 10-2 victory over St. Louis before losing 3-2 in 10 innings. Chicago finished the series with a 4-2 victory, then split the first two games of its weekend set against New York. After being shut out 2-0 in the opener, the Cubs responded with a 5-2 victory on Saturday.
The Cubs are batting .248 with a .339 on-base percentage and a .413 slugging percentage. Chicago has produced 945 hits, 135 home runs and 569 runs. Although most of those figures trail Los Angeles, the Cubs have scored only two fewer runs. That narrow difference shows that Chicago has converted its opportunities effectively even without matching the Dodgers’ overall batting average or slugging production.
Chicago owns a 4.11 team ERA, which is more than half a run higher than Los Angeles’ mark. Boyd has performed better than that overall staff figure, however, and his 3.41 ERA gives the Cubs a reasonable opportunity to control the early innings. Chicago’s 31-23 home record also makes the Cubs a dangerous underdog. The key will be keeping the Dodgers’ power under control because Los Angeles can quickly change a game with one productive inning.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Prediction
Moneyline Pick:
- Los Angeles Dodgers
I am taking Los Angeles on the moneyline. Chicago is playing at home and has a capable starter scheduled, but the Dodgers hold the stronger overall record, road record and team ERA. Los Angeles also leads this matchup in batting average, slugging percentage, hits and home runs.
The pitching matchup gives the Dodgers another modest advantage. Wrobleski has the lower ERA and has lost only twice this season, while his control numbers should help limit Chicago’s opportunities with runners on base. At a price around -127, Los Angeles is reasonably playable in what should be a competitive series opener.
Total Pick:
- Under 8.5
I will take the under if the total is set at 8.5. Wrobleski and Boyd enter with ERAs below 3.50, and neither has issued an excessive number of walks. Their ability to limit free baserunners could prevent either offense from producing a major early inning.
Los Angeles has scored six total runs over its past two completed games, while Chicago has allowed two runs or fewer in three of its previous four. Both lineups are capable of creating power, but the quality of the scheduled starters makes a lower-scoring game the more appealing position. My projected result is Los Angeles 4, Chicago 3.
This game Preview was completed prior to play on Sunday.