There are a whopping 17 games on the MLB betting board May 4, including a doubleheader between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.
The Dodgers and Cubs were rained out Monday and will make up that contest with a seven-inning game this afternoon at 2:20 p.m. ET, followed by another game at night.
We bring you our best free Dodgers vs. Cubs picks and predictions for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader.
Dodgers vs Cubs odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare MLB odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
MLB Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonWith Clayton Kershaw on the bump to open a doubleheader, Los Angeles went up as healthy -195 chalk at DraftKings, got out to -220 by noon ET and is -200 at 12:30 p.m. ET. The Dodgers are attracting 80 percent of bets and 89 percent of cash on the moneyline. The total moved from 5 (Over -124) to 5.5 (Under -129) – keep in mind doubleheaders are seven-inning games – with ticket count and money running beyond 9/1 on the Over.
Check out the full line movement for this gameDodgers vs Cubs betting preview
Starting pitchers
Clayton Kershaw (4-2, 2.09 ERA): The future Hall of Famer is putting together another terrific season, pitching to a 2.09 ERA with a WHIP of 0.91 through 38 2-3 innings in six starts. The 33-year-old is coming off a dominating performance against the Reds, going seven scoreless innings, and he hasn't allowed a run in three of his last four starts.
Kyle Hendricks (1-3, 7.54 ERA): Hendricks is coming off a horrendous performance against the Braves, where he allowed 11 hits and seven runs before getting the hook midway through the third inning. He was also roughed up by the Braves earlier this season but has looked good in his three other starts.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Dodgers: Zach McKinstry 2B (Out), Cody Bellinger CF (Out), Joe Kelly RP (Out).
Cubs: Ian Happ OF (Questionable), Joc Pederson OF (Out), Rowan Wick RP (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 18-5 in the last 23 meetings between these teams in Chicago. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Cubs.
Moneyline pick
Neither of these teams has looked good recently, with the Dodgers going 4-10 in their last 14 games and the Cubs going 2-7 in their previous nine contests.
The Dodgers, however, are still the World Series betting favorites after winning the Fall Classic last year. On the other hand, the Cubs are doing pretty much exactly what everybody expected of them as they struggle in that awkward border between former contenders and full rebuild.
Los Angeles is coming off a huge 16-4 win over the Brewers and, despite a worrying tendency to strand base runners, are fifth in the majors with 5.05 runs per game, while ranking third with a .755 OPS. The Cubbies sit just outside the Top 10 in both categories, with 4.72 runs per game and an OPS of .717.
The Cubs' other hitting numbers paint a worse picture, as they are just 22nd in batting average (.224) and strike out more than all but three teams in the majors. That's bad news against Kershaw, who has held opponents to a batting average of .208 over his career while striking out 9.73 batters per nine innings, 12th-best all time.
Hendricks is no slouch, either, but hasn't been quite as consistent as Kershaw, especially this year. Back the Dodgers.
PREDICTION: Dodgers (-200)
Over/Under pick
Kershaw doesn't get quite the publicity he used to earlier in his career when he was picking up Cy Young awards on regular basis, but the 33-year-old is still one of the best in the business. The southpaw is 10-4 with a 2.13 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP in 16 regular season starts since the beginning of last season.
While the Dodgers scored 16 runs Sunday, they did so against a pitcher making his big-league debut in Alec Bettinger. The Brewers rookie looked like a sacrificial lamb as he gave up nine runs in the first two innings. It won't be quite so easy for L.A. this afternoon as they take on a crafty veteran in Hendricks.
Hendricks is also coming off an ugly start but has been solid against teams other than the Braves this season, allowing five runs across 15 innings in his other three starts. And he has a history of dominating at home, pitching to a 2.65 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP in 91 career games at Wrigley Field.
The Dodgers have gone 6-2 to the Under in their last eight games on the road, while the Under is 21-8-1 in the Cubs' previous 30 contests at home. Take the Under tonight.
PREDICTION: Under 5 (+103)
Dodgers vs. Cubs betting card
- Dodgers (-200)
- Under 5 (+103)
Picks made on 5/04/2021 at 9:30 a.m. ET
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s MLB Dodgers vs. Cubs picks, you could win $20.45 on a $10 bet?
Use our MLB parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on MLB odds?
You can bet on MLB odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including MLB moneylines, runlines, Over/Under totals, and a ton of MLB prop odds. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on MLB odds in your area.
