National League Juggernauts Clash: Cubs and Dodgers Set for Game One of Three-Game Weekend Series
The Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers are slated for the first game of their three-game series on Friday at 10:10 p.m. ET. These are two of the top dogs in the National League, with both teams winning over 90 games last season and the Dodgers eventually winning the World Series. Each squad has similarly high expectations this season. The Cubs come into this game as one of the hottest teams in the league, having won nine games in a row to rise to 16-9 this season. The Dodgers stand tall with a 17-8 record at the top of the NL West. So, what should we expect when two powerhouses collide?
The Cubs are on fire, increasing their win streak to nine with their dominant four-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies this week. The Dodgers, while not on a heater like the Cubs, have certainly enjoyed a strong start to the season, despite the series loss to the rival Giants this week. Both teams have some injury concerns in their pitching rosters, but Chicago is mostly healthy in the batting lineup. Los Angeles, on the other hand, struggles with the absence of Mookie Betts, one of the most illustrious superstars of his generation, who hit the 10-day IL this week.
One of the biggest storylines of this game is star outfielder Kyle Tucker. Tucker spent the 2025 season with the Cubs, making a major difference for an offense that had its most successful showing in years. This past offseason, Tucker signed with the two-time defending champion Dodgers in free agency. How will Tucker fare in his first matchup against his former squad? Will the Cubs be able to show the two-time Silver Slugger that they can still compete without him?
This matchup between the Cubs and Dodgers is certainly expected to be a high-scoring affair. The expected starters for the first of three games are Jameson Taillon for Chicago and Emmet Sheehan for Los Angeles, who currently reside in the fourth and fifth spots for their team’s respective depth charts. The two teams both pride themselves on having some of the strongest offenses in Major League Baseball, with both squads ranking in the top 10 in total hits and runs scored. When high-powered bats meet mediocre pitching, the results are often quite explosive.
The highly anticipated game is an interesting meeting to predict. The Cubs got off to a disheartening start to their 2026 campaign, but are undeniably red hot going into Los Angeles. The Dodgers, while coming off back-to-back championships and boasting one of the most outstanding rosters in MLB history, are 5-5 in their last 10 games and seem to be falling short of their true potential at this point in the season. Fans should expect an absolutely electric matchup with plenty of exciting offensive moments. While the Dodgers are certainly the more talented roster, the momentum on Chicago’s side should lead them to a 10-7 victory over the home team.
