MLB betting tips for Dodgers/Cubs matchup

The Cubs and Dodgers will play the 2^nd of a 4-game series on Tuesday night. The opening pitch from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles is slated for 10:0 PM ET.

Since 2016, these teams have gone 20-7-1 under the total in 28 games played against one another, and that includes 4-0 under this season. It’s been an evenly matched series to say the least with the Dodgers going 15-13 during those head to head battles. However, Los Angeles is 9-3 in those games that were played at Dodger Stadium.

Probable Starting Pitchers

The Cubs are scheduled to go with Jon Lester on Tuesday. Lester is 4-0 in his last 4 starts while compiling a microscopic 0.67 ERA. The veteran left-hander has made 8 starts against Chicago since 2016 and allowed 1 earned run or less in 7 of those outings. One of those appearances just occurred on 6/20, and Lester allowed 0 earned runs on 5 hits while walking 3 during 7.0 innings of work.

Barring something unforeseen, the Dodgers will go with right-hander Ross Stripling tonight. Stripling has been superb in 5 home starts this year while collecting a 1.97 ERA and 0.81 WHIP.  Stripling has also exhibited very good form over his last 4 starts by amassing a 2.63 ERA and 0.83 WHIP.

Who’s Hot or Who’s Not

After falling 2-1 at Dodger Stadium last night, the Cubs have now dropped 5 straight games. Furthermore, during their last 13 games the Cubbies have scored 2 runs or less on 7 separate occasions, and that includes being held scoreless 3 times. The Cubs bullpen has a sizable 6.38 ERA and 1.84 WHIP throughout their preceding 7 games.

The Dodgers will enter tonight’s game riding a 4-game winning streak. Additionally, they’ve gone a red-hot 26-9 during their previous 35 games. Since 2017, the Dodgers are an incredible 37-12 during games played in June. The Dodgers are 17-9 this season when facing left-handed starting pitchers. Dodgers relievers have been sharp throughout their past 7 games while posting a combined 2.63 ERA.

MLB Money Line Betting Angle

At this present time, the MLB betting odds at Bookmaker show Los Angeles as a money line favorite of -160. The Dodgers have averaged 4.7 runs scored per game thus far in 2018. They’ve left 5 or less men on base during each of their last 2 games. Although the Cubs bullpen has struggled mightily of late, they still own a very respectable season ERA of 3.09. The combination of all this statistical data creates an extremely profitable money line betting angle which is illustrated below.

Any National League team (Dodgers) who’s a money line favorite of -150 or greater that averages 4.7 or more runs scored per game and has left 5 or less men on base in each of their previous 2 games, versus an opponent (Cubs) with a bullpen ERA of 3.75 or less, resulted in those favorites going 51-12 (81%) since 1997. The average money line for those 63 favorites was -157.9.

The logical MLB pick in this game is on the home favorite Dodgers. However, I’ve never been a proponent of laying this kind of juice when it comes to money line betting. Here’s what I would advise from a money management perspective. Hypothetically, if you normally play to win $200 on a money line favorite, I would just risk $200 to win $125 on the Dodgers.

Ross Benjamin is a top sports analyst and one of the sports industry's most respected handicappers. Follow him on Twitter: @RossBenjamin1 or visit his website at RBWins.com