The Los Angeles Dodgers took care of the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of our MLB picks, and the two clubs meet again at the Tokyo Dome to wrap up the series on Wednesday, March 19.
Here are my top MLB player props and Dodgers vs. Cubs predictions for the rematch.
Dodgers vs Cubs props
Justin Steele Under 4.5 strikeouts (-107 at Pinnacle)
Roki Sasaki Under 4.5 strikeouts (-106 at FanDuel)- Miguel Rojas Under 0.5 hits (+150 at DraftKings)
Read full analysis of each pick.
Dodgers vs Cubs props
Justin Steele Under 4.5 strikeouts (-107 at Pinnacle)
The Chicago Cubs took Shota Imanaga out after just 69 pitches across four innings on Opening Day, and I expect Justin Steele to see a similar leash after dealing with multiple injuries during the 2024 campaign.
Steele also wasn’t sharp this spring. He threw 8.2 innings across three starts and posted a 9.35 ERA and 1.62 WHIP. Fanning 10 batters was promising, but the Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t strikeout-happy against lefties.
Los Angeles posted an MLB-best 121 wRC+ while sporting the third-lowest strikeout percentage against southpaws last season, and Imanaga only struck out two Dodgers yesterday.
Roki Sasaki Under 4.5 strikeouts (-106 at FanDuel)
Dodgers rookie Roki Sasaki has pitched only 202 innings across 33 starts over the past two years while dealing with multiple injuries. He also logged just seven innings across his two spring training starts, so I don’t expect him to pitch deep into Wednesday’s game.
Additionally, while Sasaki fanned a batter per inning this spring, his strikeouts per nine and strikeout percentage dropped in each of his final two seasons in the NPB.
Chicago also finished with a middling 22.6 K% against righties last year, and Los Angeles righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto only fanned four Cubs across five innings yesterday. At best, I’m banking on Sasaki matching his fellow countryman.
Miguel Rojas Under 0.5 hits (+150 at DraftKings)
Los Angeles veteran Miguel Rojas drew into the Opening Day lineup with Mookie Betts (illness) sidelined, and Rojas is likely to slot in at shortstop again Wednesday. He picked up an infield single in the opener and posted a respectable .283 batting average last season.
I view the 2024 numbers as an outlier propped up by a .301 BABIP after he posted a .236 batting average and .257 BABIP across 930 plate appearances the previous two years. The 36-year-old veteran could also be a pinch-hit risk given his career 80 wRC+ against righties.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
