First pitch: Wednesday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Los Angeles +125, Chicago -135, Total: N/A

The Cubs will be going for their fourth straight win when they host the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Los Angeles is not playing very well right now, as the team has now lost three of its past four games. The Dodgers dropped the first game in this series against the Cubs, losing 3-2 on Monday. They have now scored two or fewer runs in three of the past four games and they will need to wake up offensively very soon. The Cubs, meanwhile, are on a roll right now. Coming into this game, Chicago has won three straight and five of its past six. The Cubs also happen to be 8-4 against the Dodgers dating back to last season, so they will be very confident in their chances on Wednesday. The starters in this game will be RHP Brandon McCarthy (1-0, 3.00 ERA, 4 K) for Los Angeles and RHP John Lackey (1-0, 4.50 ERA, 7 K) for Chicago. McCarthy was really lousy last season, but he turned in six innings of two-run ball in his only start of the year thus far. That’s a positive sign for the righty moving forward, and he’s hoping to bounce back in a big way this season. One trend that is worth pointing out in this game is that Chicago is a ridiculous 16-3 against the money line in home games versus teams that have a bullpen with a WHIP of 1.150 or better since 2015. As for injuries worth noting, 3B Justin Turner (Quad) is questionable for the Dodgers in this game. Other than that, both teams are relatively healthy coming into this one.

After struggling with injuries and going 2-3 with a 4.95 ERA last season, Brandon McCarthy has to be happy with his first start of the season. He allowed just two runs in six innings against the Padres in that one, and he should be aiming for something close to a quality start in this one. If he can turn in one of those then he will have done his job for Los Angeles. Offensively, one guy that will be excited to get out on the field on Wednesday is 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.304 BA, 0 HR, 3 RBI). Gonzalez hasn’t necessarily racked up numbers this season, but he is still getting hits and should find a way to go yard soon. Perhaps this will be the game, as Gonzalez is 7-for-20 with two doubles and four RBI against Lackey in his career. SS Corey Seager (.300 BA, 2 HR, 8 RBI) should also be able to get the job done in this one, as he thrives against righty pitching. The season is definitely young, but the 22-year-old is batting .375 with a homer and three RBI against righties this season.

The Cubs are on a tear heading into this game and they will be hoping that Lackey can lead them to a fourth straight victory. Lackey was solid in his first start of the year, allowing three earned runs in six innings against the Cardinals. He struck out seven batters in that game and will be hoping to be a bit sharper on Wednesday. Offensively, 3B Kris Bryant (.267 BA, 0 HR, 4 RBI) and 1B Anthony Rizzo (.172, 0 HR, 1 RBI) will both be hoping to hit their first homers of the year in this one. Bryant has not been quite as bad as Rizzo in the early going, as he comes into this game on a four-game hitting streak. Rizzo, however, has gone hitless in three of Chicago’s seven games thus far. The team needs him to get it going soon.