The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs wrap up their four-game weekend series at Wrigley Field on Sunday afternoon. The Dodgers have not quite taken off yet this season and are in the middle of the pack in the NL West standings. The Cubs have been a pleasant surprise to start the season and are at the top of the standings in the NL Central. The pitching matchup will feature left-hander Clayton Kershaw (3-1, 2.52) of the Dodgers taking on Cubs' veteran righty Marcus Stroman (2-1, 0.75). The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 PM EST.
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The LA Dodgers can't seem to get quite on track this season and have been hovering around the .500 mark for much of the season. In Thursday night's opener, rookie centerfielder James Outman homered and got the series started off right in a 6-2 win. Friday night, however, the Dodgers could not gain any momentum in a 13-0 loss in which the Dodgers had just one hit and struck out 13 times to slip a game under .500 on the season. Saturday, the Dodgers bounced back to beat the Cubs 9-4 thanks to two home runs apiece from Outman and Max Muncy as the Dodgers returned to even with a record of 11-11.
“James has carried us a lot. He's gotten some big hits obviously. It's just an opportunity that presented itself essentially the last couple of days of spring training and he's taken advantage of it, earning more opportunities,” Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts said.
Victory formation!
Dodgers x @Yaamava pic.twitter.com/bO9GUyotyA
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 21, 2023
Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw takes the hill in the series finale, fresh off picking up his 200th career win in an outstanding performance against the Mets. Kershaw went seven innings and allowed just three hits without a run while striking out nine in a performance worthy of his glory years. On the season, he is 3-1 with a 2.52 ERA in four starts. He has allowed 19 hits in 25 innings while walking just four batters and striking out 26. On the road, Kershaw is 1-1 this season while allowing seven runs in 12 innings. Kershaw is 9-4 in 15 career starts vs. the Cubs with an ERA of 2.62.
Key Injuries: C Will Smith and SS Miguel Rojas remain out.