Cubs' chances against the Dodgers in Tokyo Series may have just dramatically improved

When you're facing a team as talented as the Los Angeles Dodgers, it's hard not to have a David versus Goliath mindset. The reigning World Series champions somehow got better over the offseason, with a number of high-profile additions - but the Chicago Cubs will face this club not just two times in the Tokyo Series, but five more times in the month of April, as well.

At least for these first two matchups in Japan, the Dodgers appear likely to be without former MVP and seven-time Silver Slugger Mookie Betts. The 32-year-old has been battling an illness that has only gotten worse since arriving in Tokyo and manager Dave Roberts made it clear that Betts' status for Tuesday and Wednesday is very uncertain.

“I think that we’re really trying to be mindful of not just Opening Day but not putting him in harm’s way,” Roberts told reporters this weekend. “He hasn’t taken live at-bats or played in any games and not to put him in a position where he potentially could get hurt.”

Betts did not play in the team's exhibition games against the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers - and Roberts made it clear that if his infielder didn't feel strong coming out of the team's next workout, he likely wouldn't play against the Cubs.

Now, obviously, no one is wishing for injuries or illness for any player, but it's worth talking about because Betts is such a big contributor for this team, not just offensively, but with an unmatched level of defensive prowess that's seen him play in the outfield and also at shortstop and second base in recent years.

In 116 games last season, he put up a 145 OPS+, earning a fourth-straight All-Star selection. Come October, he stepped up big against the New York Mets in the NLCS, with an OPS pushing 1.200 in the series. Since joining the Dodgers, Betts has been an MVP runner-up twice, maintaining elite offensive performance while, as I mentioned, making multiple position changes based on the club's needs.

Dodgers have multiple pieces to cover the absence of Mookie Betts

In his absence, Los Angeles will probably move Tommy Edman back into the infield alongside Miguel Rojas to cover Betts, opening up an outfield spot in the process. That's not a sure thing, though. Chris Taylor and Kike Hernandez can play both center and second - but that's part of what makes the Dodgers so dangerous: they're an incredibly versatile bunch.

Still, it's safe to say that not having to deal with Betts when you're already working through a lineup that features Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith won't exactly ruin the days of Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele, the Cubs' two starters for the series. It's still a loaded roster, but a loss of Betts is big.