Series Preview: Cubs at Dodgers, June 25 – June 28, 2018

It’s re-match time.

The Chicago Cubs just played the Dodgers in a three-game set at Wrigley Field a week ago, and took two out of three. If you recall, there was a double-header in there, too, where the Cubs blew game 1 in the ninth inning, but won game 2 with a walk-off. Hopefully, they can escape Los Angeles with at least two wins this time around and head home to take on the Twins at Wrigley Field with a little momentum on their side, especially after the unspeakable weekend that just happened.

We’re Going Streaking

The Chicago Cubs (42-33) just had a weekend series against the Reds, and played some baseball in there for a few innings.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (41-35) just swept the Mets in New York, because that’s what happens when good teams face bad teams, right? Given their start to the year, it’s rather incredible that they’re just a game and a half behind the Cubs at this point.

Game Times and Broadcasts Info

Monday, June 25 at 9:10 CT on NBC Sports Chicago, ESPN (out-of-market) 670 The Score

Tuesday, June 26 at 9:10 CT on WGN, ESPN (out-of-market) 670 The Score

Wednesday, June 27 at 9:10 CT on NBC Sports Chicago+, ESPN (out-of-market) 670 The Score

Thursday, June 28 at 2:10 CT on NBC Sports Chicago, MLBN (out-of-market) 670 The Score

Chicago Cubs

Probable Pitchers:

Duane Underwood, Jr. (MLB Debut)

Jon Lester (2.10 ERA, 4.19 FIP; 2.46 K/BB)

Kyle Hendricks (3.73 ERA, 4.61 FIP; 2.56 K/BB)

Jose Quintana (4.26 ERA, 4.38 FIP; 2.05 K/BB)

Active Depth Chart:

C – Willson Contreras

1B – Anthony Rizzo

2B – Javy Baez

3B – Kris Bryant

SS – Addison Russell

LF – Kyle Schwarber/Ben Zobrist

CF – Albert Almora/Ian Happ

RF – Jason Heyward/Ben Zobrist

Unavailable: Brandon Morrow, Eddie Butler, Yu Darvish, Carl Edwards Jr.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Probable Pitchers:

Kenta Maeda (3.84 ERA, 3.22 FIP; 2.73 K/BB)

Ross Stripling (1.99 ERA, 2.47 FIP; 7.73 K/BB)

Alex Wood (4.13 ERA, 3.33 FIP; 4.69 K/BB)

Clayton Kershaw (2.94 ERA, 3.36 FIP; 4.75 K/BB)

Active Depth Chart:

C – Yasmani Grandal

1B – Cody Bellinger

2B – Logan Forsythe

3B –  Justin Turner

SS – Chris Taylor

LF – Matt Kemp

CF – Joc Pederson

RF – Yasiel Puig

Unavailable: Pedro Baez, Walker Buehler, Tony Cingrani, Chase Utley, Tom Koehler, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Corey Seager, Julio Urias, Dennis Santana

Keep An Eye Out For …

Cubs Pitcher: Hopefully Brandon Morrow returns from the DL in the middle of this series when he’s eligible, because the bullpen could undoubtedly use the boost of pushing everyone back an inning.

Cubs Player: Anthony Rizzo homered yesterday, his first in a couple weeks, hopefully helping to shake him loose from an ugly stretch that followed his blistering May (and the first week of June). With or without Kris Bryant available, the Cubs need Rizzo to be RIZZO for the offense to click.

Dodgers Pitcher: Clayton Kershaw is back once again, having missed some time for a back issue, and then returning on Saturday without the benefit of a rehab outing. He threw just 55 pitches over three innings and got knocked around, so it basically was a rehab outing … and now he’s probably geared up and ready to go.

Dodgers Player: Chris Taylor is such a dang pest – and I mean that as a compliment – aside from his BABIP, his peripherals basically all match his breakout 2017 season, which is to say the 27-year-old is hitting very well yet again.

Michael Cerami contributed to this post.