Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Spring Training Matchup Preview and Prediction (2/26/2023)

The Chicago Cubs will face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a Spring Training game on February 26, 2023, at 3:05 PM ET at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, AZ. This game will give fans a glimpse of the talent that both teams possess before the regular season begins. In this article, we will provide a detailed analysis of both teams and make a prediction for the game.

Analysis - Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs had a disappointing 2022 season, finishing with a record of 72-90. However, they have made some offseason moves to improve their roster, including the signing of veteran infielder Eric Hosmer. The Cubs will also rely on their young talent, including second baseman Nick Madrigal and outfielder Brennan Davis, to carry them through the season.

On the mound, the Cubs will start Justin Steele, a promising left-handed pitcher who has yet to record a win in his MLB career. Steele had a 3.74 ERA in 2022 and will look to build on that this season.

Analysis - Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the best teams in baseball, having won 106 games in the 2022 season. They have a talented roster that includes stars like Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, and Cody Bellinger. The Dodgers will also be relying on their pitching staff, which features three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw and reigning NL Cy Young winner Walker Buehler.

For this game, the Dodgers will start Robbie Erlin, a left-handed pitcher who has bounced around the league over the past few seasons. Erlin had a 5.14 ERA in 2022, and the Dodgers will be hoping for a better performance from him this year.

Betting Trends

The betting line for this game has the Dodgers as the favorite, with a money line of -159. The Cubs are the underdogs, with a money line of +130. The over/under for the game is set at 9.5 runs.

Public Betting Data

The public is split on this game, with 52% of bets placed on the Cubs and 48% on the Dodgers. In terms of the spread, 57% of bets are on the Cubs to cover the +1.5 run line, while 43% are on the Dodgers to cover the -1.5 run line.

Prediction

While the Cubs have made some improvements to their roster, they are still a relatively inexperienced team that will struggle against a team as talented as the Dodgers. The Dodgers have a deep roster with a lot of star power, and they will be looking to build on their success from last season.

Our pick for this game is the Dodgers to win, with a money line of -159. We also like the under, as both teams will be experimenting with their lineups and may not put up a lot of runs.

Pick: Dodgers -159