On the horizon: Preview of the Cubs vs. Dodgers series

The last time these two teams met was 155 days ago, on April 7 at Wrigley Field, on a cold, rainy afternoon when the game was delayed nearly three hours because of rain.

The Cubs won 8-1. All three relievers who played for the Cubs that day are either on the IL, in Triple-A, or were traded. The Dodgers played Mookie Betts at shortstop, and the two relievers they used that day (Gus Varland, Ryan Yarbrough) were also traded at the deadline.

So it's been a while. Hopefully the Cubs remember the three-game series at Wrigley Field in April where they won two of three games.

For more information on the Dodgers, visit our SB Nation Dodgers site, True Blue LA.

Funny fact

Last year, the Cubs won two of three games when they visited the Dodgers. It was the first time the Cubs won a series at Dodger Stadium since 2014. In the years since, they lost six series, including all three games in 2017 and all four in 2022, and tied one. They won just six games and lost 19. The Cubs have won a 3-0 series in Los Angeles just once, in 2005. They went 2-1 in seven seasons, 1-2 in seven more, and 0-3 in three seasons. They also went 0-6 in two series in 1991.

(Courtesy of JohnW53 of BCB)

Probable pitching matchups

Monday: Kyle Hendricks, RHP (3-11, 6.60 ERA, 1.514 WHIP, 5.22 FIP) vs. Walker Buehler, RHP (1-4, 5.67 ERA, 1.611 WHIP, 5.98 FIP)

Tuesday: Shōta Imanaga, LHP (12-3, 2.99 ERA, 1.017 WHIP, 3.66 FIP) vs. TBD

Wednesday: Jordan Wicks, LHP (2-3, 4.03 ERA, 1.421 WHIP, 3.23 FIP) vs. TBD

Here we are again with the TBDs.

Times & TV channels

Monday: 9:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Tuesday: 9:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, TBS (outside Cubs and Dodgers markets)

Wednesday: 9:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

forecast

After a rough July, the Dodgers are 23-11 since August 1. The Cubs are 21-12 during the same period. So… at least during this period, the teams have played about the same.

As mentioned above, the Cubs won a series at Dodger Stadium just last year. The Dodgers' starting pitchers are currently in transition, as evidenced by the undecided starters for this series.

I think the Cubs can steal two out of three here.

Next

The Cubs have Thursday off and then begin a three-game series against the Rockies on Friday night in Denver.