Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Prediction for Wednesday August 5 2026

The Los Angeles Dodgers will face the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday afternoon. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET, with MLB Network and Marquee Sports Network providing television coverage. Los Angeles enters the middle game of the series with a 69-44 record, while Chicago stands at 64-49. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Before making your wagers, check out our free MLB picks for additional baseball predictions throughout the season.

Starting Pitchers

Eric Lauer is expected to start for Los Angeles opposite Chicago left-hander Shota Imanaga. Lauer enters with a 6-5 record and a 4.50 ERA, while Imanaga is 7-9 with a 3.67 ERA. Imanaga owns the better ERA and has displayed stronger overall control, but both pitchers will face productive offenses capable of applying pressure throughout the afternoon. Lauer’s recent numbers make the Chicago lineup particularly dangerous in this matchup.

Los Angeles Searches for a Needed Response

Los Angeles entered Tuesday at 69-44 and remained comfortably positioned atop the NL West despite losing four consecutive games. The Dodgers began this series with a 10-5 loss Monday after allowing Chicago to erase an early three-run deficit. Los Angeles had dropped its previous three games against Boston, including an 8-4 defeat Sunday. The four-game slide matched the team’s longest losing streak of the season and created some urgency heading into the remainder of this series.

The Dodgers are averaging 5.11 runs, 8.84 hits, and 1.28 home runs per game. They are batting .262 with a .340 on-base percentage and a .432 slugging percentage. Los Angeles has also averaged 3.81 walks and 14.56 total bases per contest. Those numbers give the visitors one of the deepest and most consistent offensive profiles in baseball, even though their recent results have not reflected the quality of their season-long production.

The important concern for Los Angeles is preventing another game from getting away from its pitching staff. The Dodgers allow only 3.82 runs and 7.10 hits per game, while opponents are batting just .217 against them. Those are excellent numbers, but Chicago scored ten runs and hit four home runs Monday. Lauer has a 4.50 ERA and will need to limit hard contact against a Cubs lineup that already demonstrated its power in the series opener.

Chicago Carries Its Power Into the Finale

Chicago improved to 64-49 by earning a 10-5 victory Monday. The Cubs entered the series after losing two of three games at home against the New York Yankees, scoring only six runs during that set. Their offense responded emphatically against Los Angeles, overcoming an early 3-0 deficit and producing four home runs. The Cubs finished with ten runs on 12 hits and scored in four different innings.

The Cubs average 5.13 runs, 8.49 hits, and 1.23 home runs per game. Chicago is batting .248 with a .339 on-base percentage and a .414 slugging percentage. The home team also averages 4.35 walks and 0.72 stolen bases, giving it multiple ways to generate scoring opportunities. Chicago’s 5.13 runs per game narrowly exceed Los Angeles’ average, although the Dodgers hold the advantages in batting average, slugging percentage, and total bases.

Imanaga provides Chicago with a clear opportunity to remain competitive in this matchup. His 3.67 ERA is considerably better than Lauer’s 4.50 mark, and the Cubs have already shown that they can punish mistakes from Los Angeles pitching. Chicago’s larger season-long concern has been allowing 4.30 runs per game and 1.49 home runs per contest. Imanaga must keep the ball in the park against a Dodgers lineup that remains dangerous despite its recent losing streak.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Prediction

• Pick: Chicago Cubs Moneyline

I am taking Chicago on the moneyline. Los Angeles has the stronger overall record and better season-long pitching numbers, but the starting matchup favors the Cubs. Imanaga owns the lower ERA, while Lauer’s 4.50 mark creates a difficult assignment against a Chicago offense averaging more than five runs per game. The Cubs also have the advantage of playing at Wrigley Field and entered Tuesday with a 32-24 home record. Los Angeles remains capable of ending its slide at any point, but Chicago offers the better value in this particular matchup.

• Pick: Over 8.5

I also favor Over 8.5 runs if that becomes the posted total. Chicago and Los Angeles are both averaging more than 5.10 runs per game, and the series opener produced 15 combined runs. The Dodgers possess a .262 batting average and .432 slugging percentage, while the Cubs just demonstrated their ability to produce power against this pitching staff. Imanaga should provide Chicago with several competitive innings, but the Cubs allow 4.30 runs and 1.49 home runs per game. With Lauer carrying a 4.50 ERA, I expect both teams to contribute enough offense to send this matchup over the total.

This game preview was completed prior to game play on Tuesday.