Cubs vs Dodgers Picks and Predictions: Anderson Punches Out Cubs

The Los Angeles Dodgers took Game 1 of this series by a final score of 5-3. They now have the best record in the National League and have won eight of their last 10 games.

It’s been mostly a season to forget in the Windy City, as the Chicago Cubs will need to make a run if they hope to sniff the playoffs.

Chicago turns to Keegan Thompson for Game 2, while Los Angeles counters with the left-handed Tyler Anderson.

Check out our MLB picks and predictions for Cubs vs. Dodgers on Friday, July 8.

Cubs vs Dodgers odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The Dodgers opened -210 at home and there hasn’t been a huge line movement. Depending on the book, Los Angeles is currently between a -200 and -235 favorite. The total is set at 8.5 across all books.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until first pitch and be sure to check out the full MLB odds before placing your bets.

Cubs vs Dodgers predictions

• Prediction: Dodgers ML (-200)
• Prediction: Over 8.5 (-105)
• Best bet: Anderson Over 5.5 Ks (+120)

Picks made on 7/8/2022 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.

Cubs vs Dodgers game info

• Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Friday, July 8, 2022
• First pitch: 10:10 p.m. ET
• TV: Marquee Sports Network, SportsNet LA

Cubs vs Dodgers betting preview

Starting pitchers

Keegan Thompson (7-3, 3.41 ERA): Thompson was used mostly out of the bullpen a year ago in his first taste of big-league action. The same was the case at the beginning of 2022 as he fulfilled a long relief role, but he’s since been moved to the rotation. The move has been a successful one thus far, as he’s accumulated a 3.69 xERA and a 3.79 FIP. He strikes out a decent amount of batters (22.4% strikeout rate) but issues too many walks (8.2% walk rate). He has a 5.4% barrel rate.

Tyler Anderson (9-1, 3.09 ERA): It’s been a coming-out party for Anderson in 2022. The left-hander is having the best season of his career by far, and his ERA is below 4.00 for the first time since his rookie season back in 2016. His 3.25 xERA and 3.32 FIP are both strong, as is his 4.4% barrel rate. His 21.5% strikeout rate is just alright, but he does a great job of limiting walks with a 4.4% walk rate. 

Weather

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Key injuries

Find our latest MLB injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Cubs are 1-5 in their last six games vs. a left-handed starter. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Dodgers

Cubs vs Dodgers picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Moneyline analysis

The Dodgers are the favorite for a reason. They have the best record in the National League and the third-best record in the MLB. The Cubs, on the other hand, are tied with the Pittsburgh Pirates at 12.5 games back in the NL Central.

The pitching advantage in Friday’s matchup lies with the Dodgers. Tyler Anderson has been a surprise in 2022, and a pleasant one at that for Los Angeles. His peripherals are solid and I don’t expect any major regression coming when I look at his profile. His 3.25 expected ERA is closely in line with his actual ERA, and his 3.32 FIP is solid. He’s managed to limit both walks (1.6 per nine innings) and hard contact (4.4%).

I’m not sure whether I trust Keegan Thompson as a starter yet. Nine of his last 10 appearances have come in the rotation and the results have been mixed, although admittedly mostly positive. My main concern is that his 8.2% walk rate is too high for a starter. He had a 3.38 ERA a year ago in 32 appearances (six starts), but his 5.33 xERA and 5.16 FIP suggest he could get himself into trouble.

Across his last two appearances, Thompson has allowed 15 hits while issuing three walks. He’ll have a rough night if that form continues against a Dodgers lineup that’s been hot, ranking second in both weighted OBA and weighted RC+ over the last 10 days.

The Cubs are 0-7 in the last seven meetings between these two teams. I’ll take the Dodgers to pick up another win and keep that streak alive.

Prediction: Dodgers moneyline (-200 at BetMGM)

Over/Under analysis

Both of these lineups have been scorching hot.

Over the last 10 days, the Dodgers rank second in the league in OPS, wOBA, and wRC+. The Cubs are right behind, ranking fifth in OPS, third in wOBA, and fourth in wRC+.

The Cubs have also been hitting left-handed pitching well, as the Over is 4-1 in their last five games when facing a left-handed starter. On the season, they rank 11th in wOBA against southpaws.

I’m not a believer in Keegan Thompson just yet, as I think his propensity to give up walks will come back to bite him. He’s allowed 15 hits over his last two outings, and if that trend continues, he’ll be pulled early. Only once this season has he made it past the sixth inning, which means a suspect Cubs bullpen (4.39 ERA) could be a factor in this one.

I could see both teams scoring runs in this matchup, and therefore lean toward the Over.

Prediction: Over 8.5 (-105 at bet365)

Best bet

I’m targeting Tyler Anderson’s strikeout prop for today’s best bet.

The Cubs have been alright against left-handed pitching this season, but that hasn’t stopped them from striking out. On the season they have a 23.5% strikeout rate against southpaws, and that number jumps even higher when evaluating recent performance. Over the last 10 days, Chicago has a massive 31% strikeout rate against left-handed pitching.

Anderson may not be known as a strikeout pitcher, but he’s been effective all year and his 21.5% strikeout rate is nothing to sneeze at. His prop is listed at 5.5 for strikeouts with plus money to the Over, which makes today’s card as the best bet.

Pick: Tyler Anderson Over 5.5 strikeouts (+120)

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