Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (6-5) at Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles (7-6)

In Series Previews by berselius46 Comments

Ah, the ol dreaded west coast road trip. At least we’re getting it out of the way early this year. The worst part about playing at Dodger Stadium is their super annoying soundboard…the best part is that the games run late enough in central time that you don’t get too much of it. Though I guess that with the shorter game times, west coast games will be less of a slog to watch?

The Dodgers are merely very good rather than world-beaters this year as they try to save a bit of money to reset their luxury tax penalties. That said, given how the Dodgers have managed to develop guys of late they could bring up a bunch of no-name dudes and win the divison anyway. FFS, Jason Heyward has already hit three homers for them this year.

(Projected) Team leaders

Numbers taken from Zips projections – based on past performance there’s a 30% chance that I’ll put someone who is no longer in the team on these lists on any given week (dying laughing).

LADoLA

  • OBP: Freddie Freeman (.385)
  • ISO: Mookie Betts (.227)
  • HR: Betts (30)
  • R+RBI: Freeman (203)
  • wRC+: Freeman (148)
  • BSR: Betts (1.7)
  • Defense: Miguel Rojas (9.2)
  • SP K/9: Dustin May (9.67)
  • SP BB/9: Clayton Kershaw (1.92)
  • SP FIP: Kershaw (3.45)
  • RP K/9: Alex Vesia (12.12)
  • RP BB/9: Brasudar Graterol (2.61)
  • RP FIP: Evan Phillips (3.36)
  • WAR: Betts (5.8)

Cubs

  • OBP: Suzuki (.352)
  • ISO: Wisdom (.230)
  • HR: Wisdom / Swanson (24)
  • R+RBI: Swanson (171)
  • wRC+: Suzuki (135)
  • BSR: Hoerner (1.4)
  • Defense: Swanson (16.2)
  • SP K/9: Steele (8.94)
  • SP BB/9: Taillon (2.16)
  • SP FIP: Stroman (3.69)
  • RP K/9: Hughes (10.62)
  • RP BB/9: Alzolay (2.89)
  • RP FIP: Fulmer (3.78)
  • WAR: Swanson (5.2)

Who isn’t available?

On the Cubs side, Seiya Suzuki is still on the 10-day IL as he recovers from his oblique strain. He is currently in Iowa, and homered on Wednesday. He could be back this series. Dansby Swanson left Tuesday’s game with cramping and sat out on Wednesday. It seems like he’ll be good to go to come back for this series. Cyle is also on the 10-day IL with his shoulder injury, and probably won’t be back until May. He’s thrown some bullpen sessions down in AZ but is probably still at least a month out. The Cubs were hoping that lefty reliever Brandon Hughes would be ready to go for opening day, but he was put on the IL with a knee issue and is rehabbing in AAA. He’s still working out a few kinks based on the small sample size results. And lest we forget, RP Codi Heuer had Tommy John last year, and could be back at midseason. He’s graduated to throwing live BP.

Dodgers starting SS Miguel Rojas is day-to-day with a combo of hamstring cramping and a minor groin injury. Former Beer Jimmy Nelson is working his way back from TJS but is still a ways away. Starter Tony Gonsolin is recovering from a sprained ankle suffered in ST and likely will not be back until May. Walker Buehler is rehabbing from TJS and probably won’t be back until after the ASB. Starting 2B Gavin Lux blew out his ACL in spring training and is out for the season.

Pitching Matchups, game times

2023 Projected K/9, BB/9, ERA listed for all starters

Friday: Justin Steele, LHP (8.97, 3.81, 3.69) vs Noah Syndergaard, RHP (7.25, 1.95, 3.81), 9:10 PM CT

Saturday: Jameson Taillon, RHP (7.76, 2.15, 4.00) vs Michael Grove, RHP (8.82, 3.61, 4.51), 8:10 PM CT

Sunday: Draw Smyly, LHP (8.22, 2.90, 4.81) vs Julio Urias, LHP (8.82, 1.86, 3.16), 3:10 PM CT

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Comments

  1. Rice Cube

    The madness of the early season means there will be no surprise whether the Cubs go 6-0 or 0-6 this trip, and then they have to deal with the Dodgers again when they get home because this schedule is wack

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  3. Rice Cube

    Logan Webb –> 5/$90MM extension with Giants

    Guess that sets some kind of market for any of the Cubs starting pitching prospects who might show out, including Steele

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  31. andcounting

    Wow. I was expecting Steele to pitch well, but I wasn’t expecting the offense to look this good.

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  34. Author
    berselius

    The pitch clock must have really put a dent into all the LA fans arriving an hour late into the game (dying laughing)

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