Cubs vs. Dodgers Prediction and Best Bets (July 7)

The 2022 MLB season rolled on as this year’s All-Star Game is right around the corner. The action continues with an exciting slate of games on Thursday, July 7, including a showdown between the Chicago Cubs (34-48) and Los Angeles Dodgers (52-29).

This matchup tells a story about two completely different teams. Though they’ve gone 6-2 in their last eight games this season, the Cubs are still one of the lower-ranked teams in the National League, likely missing the postseason once again.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers have been near the top of the MLB standings since the campaign began. They’re six games ahead of the NL West’s second-place San Diego Padres, meaning a four-game series against the Cubs is what the Dodgers need to help widen that divisional gap.

It’ll be a battle between two righties on the mound as Mark Leiter Jr. will start for the Cubs while Tony Gonsolin gets the nod for the Dodgers.

Here’s a look at the odds and best bets to make ahead of today’s Cubs vs. Dodgers matchup.

Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Chicago Cubs (34-48, 17-21 road, 3rd in the NL Central) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers 52-29, 26-13 home, 1st in the NL West)
• Venue & Location: Dodgers Stadium (Los Angeles, California)
• Date: Thursday, July 7, 2022
• Time: 10:10 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Today’s Cubs vs. Dodgers Game: MLB.TV, MLB Extra Innings

Cubs vs. Dodgers Pitching Matchup

• Chicago Cubs: Mark Leiter Jr. (2022: 11 games [3 starts], 2-2, 4.85 ERA)
• Los Angeles Dodgers: Tony Gonsolin (2022: 15 starts, 10-0, 2.37 ERA)

Cubs vs. Dodgers Odds

Odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended online sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Moneyline

• Chicago Cubs +235
• Los Angeles Dodgers -290

Over/Under

• OVER 8.5 (-106)
• UNDER 8.5 (-114)

Run Line

• Chicago Cubs +1.5 (+112)
• Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (-134)

Gonsolin Looks to Continue Dominance vs. Cubs

Any matchup against a team as good as the Dodgers is tough to win, but the Cubs have an extra obstacle in their way on Wednesday: Tony Gonsolin.

The 28-year-old veteran hurler has been near untouchable throughout the 2022 MLB season. He leads all Major-League pitchers with 10 victories and has yet to suffer a loss in 15 starts. In fact, those 10 wins actually matched the career total that he had in 35 games (27 starts) before the campaign began.

Gonsolin also boasts a 1.54 ERA and 0.820 WHIP, striking out 77 batters over 81.2 innings pitched. A lot of his success has come from the fact that he’s held opposing batters to a .156 batting average — the best mark of his career — while having 31.1% of his balls put into play resulting in a fly ball, which is above the league average of 24.4%.

Beating Gonsolin is going to be tough for a Cubs team that’s only producing 4.08 runs per game on the road, ranking ninth-worst in the Majors. The right-handed hurler has given up only five runs over this last six starts, making it clear that Chicago must up its game.

The Cubs are counting on utility player Christopher Morel to continue his solid play. The 23-year-old is tied for the team lead in hits (10) and home runs (three) over Chicago’s last three games, slashing .370/.469/.815 in 27 at-bats. Patrick Wisdom also has three homers in that span.

Nevertheless, there’s a reason why BetOnline Sportsbook has the Cubs as the overwhelming underdog on Thursday. The Dodgers are on another level and it’s going to take a monumental effort for the Cubs to even stay in the game.

Betting Trends for Cubs vs. Dodgers

• The Cubs are 4-6 straight up in their last 10 games against the Dodgers.
• The Dodgers are 13-4 straight up in their last 17 home games against the Cubs.
• The total has hit the over in five of the Cubs’ last 10 games against the Dodgers.
• The total has hit the under in 18 of the Dodgers’ last 38 home games.

Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction and Best Bets

Cubs vs. Dodgers Prediction: Dodgers to win

Cubs vs. Dodgers Best Bets: Dodgers -1.5 (-134 at BetOnline) & Under 8.5 (-114 at BetOnline)

Despite the Cubs’ recent success, the Dodgers are one of the MLB’s top teams for a reason. They’re a deeper, more talented squad compared to their opponents and are poised to remain as World Series contenders for the rest of the season.

Beating the Cubs by at least two runs shouldn’t be much of an issue for the Dodgers, which is why I’m taking them to cover the spread. Gonsolin’s presence should also silence any offensive hope that Chicago has, resulting in the total hitting the under.