Cubs vs. Dodgers prediction and odds for Saturday, April 15 (Bet Chicago as underdogs)

The Chicago Cubs took the first of three against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday by the score of 8-2.

Now, the 7-5 Cubs look to make it a series win against the Dodgers, who have stumbled to a 7-7 start so far this season. Los Angeles is still dealing wiht some holes in the roster due to injury, leaning on Michael Grove on Saturday against the Cubs starter Jameson Taillon.

Here are the odds and our best bet for Saturday's matchup:

Cubs vs. Dodgers odds, run line and total

Cubs vs. Dodgers prediction and pick

Grove struggled in a short stint with the Dodgers last season as a rookie, appearing in seven games and posting a 4.60 ERA. This season has gone even worse, allowing 12 earned runs in over seven innings with none coming via home runs.

That means teams are stringing together hits against the right hander, which is going to to be an issue against a Cubs team that is hitting at a high level so far this season. Chicago is fourth in the big leagues, posting a .282 batting average and just got second year pro Seiya Suziki back from injury. He homered in his season debut in Friday night's win.

While the Dodgers have star power in the lineup, it's the Cubs that have bolstered the better group at the plate so far in 2023. LA has leveraged its plate discipline, posting the highest walk rate in Major League Baseball at 13%, but Taillon is fantastic at controlling the strike zone, walking about two batters per nine innings across his career.

I'll side with the better team at the plate with the more trustworthy pitcher in the Cubs.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.