Cubs @ Dodgers – Series Preview (June 25-28): TV and Game Info, Starting Pitchers, Insights
After getting swept in a four-game series against the last place Reds, the Cubs aim to get back on track as they travel to LA for four games against the Dodgers. The Cubs were outscored 31-12 over the long weekend and desperately need to right the ship. They enter the series with a record of 42-33 and currently sit two games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.
The Cubs’ pitching has been one area of concern over the current skid, as they are still without top bullpen arms Carl Edwards Jr. and Brandon Morrow, along with starters Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood. The latter is only on a brief paternity leave, but it still stretches what has already been a thin rotation recently. Duane Underwood Jr. is scheduled to make his MLB debut on Monday in an attempt to give Jon Lester an extra day of rest.
The Dodgers are coming off a three-game sweep of the New York Mets and enter the series with a 41-35 record, two and a half games behind the Diamondbacks in the NL West. Matt Kemp is enjoying a productive bounce-back season (.318 average, 13 HR) for the Dodgers and Max Muncy (.261 average, 15 HR) has proven to be a force in the lineup as well.
The corner man had only two hits against the Cubs last week, but reached base five times via walk. He has gone deep in each of his last two games and now has eight home runs in June alone. It will be important for the Cubs to slow down both Muncy and Kemp in order to win this series.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Monday, June 25 at 9:10pm CT on ESPN
- Tuesday, June 26th at 9:10pm CT on ESPN
- Wednesday, June 27th at 9:10pm CT on ESPN
- Thursday, June 28th at 2:10pm on NBC Sports Chicago
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | K/BB | FIP |
| 6/25 | Duane Underwood Jr. | 23 | R | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kenta Maeda | 30 | R | 3.84 | 4-4 | 2.73 | 3.22 | |
| 6/26 | Jon Lester | 34 | L | 2.10 | 9-2 | 2.26 | 4.19 |
| Ross Stripling | 28 | R | 1.99 | 6-2 | 7.73 | 2.47 | |
| 6/27 | Kyle Hendricks | 28 | R | 3.73 | 5-7 | 2.56 | 4.60 |
| Alex Wood | 27 | L | 4.13 | 3-5 | 4.69 | 3.33 | |
| 6/28 | Jose Quintana | 29 | L | 4.26 | 6-6 | 2.05 | 4.37 |
| Clayton Kershaw | 30 | L | 2.94 | 1-4 | 4.75 | 3.35 |
What To Watch For
- The 23-year old Underwood is scheduled to make his MLB debut in an attempt to give the rotation an extra day of rest. A good outing could be huge in setting the tone in the series.
- Albert Almora Jr. has been seeing the ball well in the month of June (.343 average) and has been a good table-setter at the the top of the lineup. The Cubs are going to need that to continue moving forward.
- Kris Bryant has been dealing with a sore left shoulder and missed the last two games of the series against the Reds. A return to form for him could be key to getting the Cubs back on track amid their current struggles.
- Jon Lester has been fantastic over four starts in June (21 IP, 0.67 E.R.A.) and is making a strong case for an All-Star nod. He has been the one source of consistency in the starting rotation throughout the season.