Chicago Cubs to take on Los Angeles Dodgers in battle of lefties

Cubs to face reigning NL MVP Kershaw

The

are a strikeout-prone team. The Los Angeles Dodgers

(5-4, 3.29) doesn’t need a team to be to collect his. The Cubs will take on the Dodgers and their reigning MVP Kershaw while countering with their own lefty in

(1-1, 3.68).

The Cubs (37-30) have struck out an NL worst 637 times, and even in winning the final two games against Minnesota they whiffed 21 times. They’ll have to find a way to put the bat on the ball as Kershaw will be looking for his fourth straight game with 10 Ks or more.

While Kershaw hasn’t been as effective as he was last season, his recent stretch resembles that MVP form. His career numbers against the Cubs (4-2 with a 2.09 ERA and 45 strikeouts in six career starts) could make things tough for them to pick up a third-straight win, a feat Chicago hasn’t done since winning six in a row in May.

The Dodgers (39-31) lead their division by 1 1/2 games, while the Cubs sit seven back in theirs with a similar record. Dexter Fowler has had the most success of the current Cubs, batting .421 against him in his career, while Anthony Rizzo comes in red-hot as well.

Wada comes off his best start of the season, as he went seven scoreless. That was overshadowed by the offensive explosion the Cubs had in the 17-0 win over the Indians.

The Cubs sent Kyle Schwarber down to Iowa, where he will also be joined by Neil Ramirez and Mike Olt as they work their way back from injury.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT at Wrigley Field. WGN will have the television while WBBM 780 will have the radio broadcast.

Here are the starting lineups for tonight’s contest: