Match Preview
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs continue their three-game National League series Tuesday, August 4, at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. Eastern, with newly acquired left-hander Tarik Skubal expected to make his Dodgers debut against Cubs right-hander Javier Assad. Skubal enters with a 7–5 record, a 2.79 ERA and 116 strikeouts, while Assad carries a 6–1 record and a 3.75 ERA.
Los Angeles needs an immediate response after dropping Monday’s opener 10–5. The Dodgers initially took a 3–0 lead on Tommy Edman’s home run, but Chicago answered quickly and eventually hit four homers against Los Angeles pitching. The loss extended the Dodgers’ losing streak to four games.
Chicago deserves respect after its strong offensive performance, but Tuesday’s pitching matchup is significantly more favourable for Los Angeles. Skubal gives the Dodgers an established ace capable of controlling the game through the middle innings, while the lineup still produced five runs and several hard-hit balls during Monday’s defeat.
The Cubs are dangerous at Wrigley Field, but Los Angeles has the stronger starter and should approach this matchup with urgency after its longest losing streak of the season. The Dodgers are our preferred moneyline selection.
Los Angeles Dodgers Analysis
The acquisition of Tarik Skubal immediately strengthens an already talented Dodgers rotation. The two-time Cy Young Award winner was acquired from Detroit before the trade deadline and is expected to make his first Los Angeles start Tuesday. His 2.79 ERA gives the Dodgers a major upgrade from the pitching performance they received in the series opener.
Skubal’s primary task will be limiting Chicago’s home-run damage. Seiya Suzuki, Kevin Alcántara, Carson Kelly and Michael Busch all went deep Monday, with the Cubs repeatedly punishing pitches left over the plate.
The left-hander must attack the strike zone without becoming predictable. Chicago has enough power to punish mistakes, but Skubal’s combination of velocity, command and strikeout ability should create a much more difficult matchup than the Cubs faced Monday.
Los Angeles’ offence also showed positive signs despite the loss. Edman hit a three-run homer, Teoscar Hernández launched a 443-foot solo shot and Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker and Hernández each collected two hits. The Dodgers did not lose because the lineup was completely ineffective; they lost because their pitching allowed Chicago to create repeated extra-base damage.
The Dodgers should remain patient against Assad and avoid attempting to erase their four-game skid with every swing. Their strongest path is creating baserunners, forcing Assad into long innings and allowing Ohtani, Tucker, Freddie Freeman and the middle of the order to produce with runners aboard.
Chicago Cubs Analysis
Javier Assad gives Chicago a solid starting option. His 6–1 record and 3.75 ERA show that he has consistently provided competitive innings, although facing the Dodgers represents one of his most difficult assignments of the season.
Assad must limit walks and prevent Los Angeles from creating another explosive opening inning. The Dodgers scored three runs within the first five pitches Monday, demonstrating how quickly their lineup can take control when a pitcher makes early mistakes.
Chicago’s offence enters with considerable confidence after its four-home-run performance. Suzuki and Busch remain particularly dangerous, while Alcántara’s first major-league homer should give the young outfielder additional momentum.
However, the Cubs cannot expect the same volume of mistakes against Skubal. Their best approach is working patient at-bats, increasing his pitch count and attempting to reach the Dodgers bullpen before the final innings.
Chicago also needs another dependable defensive performance. Suzuki threw out Tucker during Monday’s game, helping prevent Los Angeles from turning a scoring opportunity into a larger rally. Similar execution may be necessary Tuesday because the Dodgers should create more traffic against Assad than the Cubs are likely to generate against Skubal.
Why We Like This Pick
The starting-pitching advantage is the clearest reason to back Los Angeles.
Assad has pitched well, but Skubal is one of baseball’s premier starters and gives the Dodgers a much stronger foundation than they had Monday. His ability to miss bats should reduce Chicago’s opportunities to recreate its four-home-run performance.
The Dodgers also remain a dangerous offensive team despite losing four consecutive games. They scored five runs and produced several extra-base hits in the opener, showing that the lineup is capable of supporting Skubal if he limits Chicago’s early offence.
Los Angeles should play with greater urgency after another poor pitching performance. The combination of an ace making his team debut, a powerful lineup and a strong bounce-back situation makes the Dodgers the preferred side.
Final Prediction
Assad keeps Chicago competitive during the opening innings, but Skubal limits the Cubs’ power and records several important strikeouts. Los Angeles creates sustained pressure during the middle innings and protects the lead with a cleaner bullpen performance.
Final Score Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers 6, Chicago Cubs 3
Official FirePicksHQ Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers Moneyline