Prizing:

1st Place: $25 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Starbucks gift card

Overview:

On Friday May 26th, the (22-21) Chicago Cubs will be on the road to take on the (26-19) Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” projects a final score of Cubs 4.6 – Dodgers 3.7 with an over/under of 8.4.

Starting Pitchers:

CHC: Jake Arrieta (5-3, 4.80) vs LAD: Alex Wood (5-0, 1.88)

Batting Stats:

Runs per game: Dodgers 5.07 (5^th) > Cubs 5.05 (7^th)

Batting Average: Dodgers .265 (7^th) > Cubs .244 (19^th)

On Base Percentage: Dodgers .347 (2^nd) > Cubs .332 (10^th)

Total Bases: Dodgers 657 (10^th) > Cubs 627 (11^th)

Baserunning Stats:

Stolen Bases: Dodgers 16 (24^th) > Cubs 15 (25^th)

Pitching Stats:

Team Earned Run Average: Dodgers 3.41 (1^st) > Cubs 3.99 (10^th)

Batting Average Against: Dodgers .240 (8^th) > Cubs .249 (16^th)

Walks/Hits Per Innings Pitched: Dodgers 1.20 (2^nd) > Cubs 1.35 (17^th)

Strikeouts: Dodgers 426 (2^nd) > Cubs 398 (7^th)

Saves: Cubs 10 (17^th) > Dodgers 9 (23^rd)

Fielding Stats:

Errors: Dodgers 31 (21^st) > Cubs 37 (29^th)

Summary:

The Dodgers enter the game 5^th in runs per game (5.07) and 1^st in earned run average (3.41).  The Cubs rank 7^th in runs per game (5.05) and 10^th in earned run average (3.99).  The Dodgers are (6-4) in their last ten games while the Cubs are (5-5).  Chicago is (2-1) head to head against the Dodgers this season outscoring them 6-4 in those three games.  Cubs starter Jake Arrieta has had great success against Dodgers hitters holding them to a combined .152 average.  Arrieta (5-3, 4.80) has struggled this season but has fared better in his last few starts.  Dodgers starter Alex Wood (5-0, 1.88) may very well be the Cy Young favorite should the award be given today.  Wood has held Cubs hitters to a combined .265 average against albeit in only 49 total at-bats.  The Dodgers are (16-7) at home this season while the Cubs are (11-10) on the road.  I expect a low scoring game with two very good pitchers facing off.  I like the Dodgers to win because Alex Wood is pitching lights out right now.

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