Chicago Cubs (16-9) at Los Angeles Dodgers (16-8) | Dodger Stadium | 9:10 PM CT
The Chicago Cubs (16–9 after Dansby Swanson’s walk-off yesterday) travel to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers (16–8, two-time defending World Series champions) at Dodger Stadium. We’re on a NINE-GAME WIN STREAK after yesterday’s wild 8–7 comeback win in 10 innings. Jameson Taillon (1-1, 3.97 ERA) starts for us against Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 5.85 ERA).
This is the series opener—can we keep the streak alive in LA?
Cubs Season: 16-9 on a NINE-Game Win Streak
Record: 16-9 (Seven Games Over .500, NINE-Game Win Streak)
We’re 16–9 and SEVEN GAMES OVER .500 on a NINE-GAME WIN STREAK after yesterday’s WILD 8–7 walk-off win in 10 innings over the Phillies. Dansby Swanson drove in the winning run with his first walk-off hit in five years.
Nine-Game Win Streak:
- Beat Phillies 11–2 in Philadelphia
- Swept Mets at Wrigley (three straight)
- Beat Phillies 5–1, 7–4, 7–2 at Wrigley
- Yesterday: Won 8–7 in 10 innings (Swanson walk-off!)
- 18 hits in yesterday’s game (season high)
- Outscored opponents 66–27 during the streak
Yesterday’s Wild Comeback (8–7, 10 Innings):
- Dansby Swanson: Walk-off RBI single in 10th
- Seiya Suzuki: Go-ahead homer in 8th (3rd HR this season)
- Ian Happ: Home run (7th of season)
- Michael Busch: Home run, 4 RBIs (2nd HR)
- Blew leads twice but kept fighting
Key Stats:
- NINE-game win streak (longest since 11-game run in 2023)
- SEVEN GAMES OVER .500
- Offense ROLLING (66 runs in 9 games)
- Swept the Phillies 4-0 at home
Jameson Taillon Tonight:
- 1-1, 3.97 ERA this season
- Veteran right-hander
- Facing Dodgers’ powerful lineup
We’ve won NINE STRAIGHT. Now we face the two-time defending World Series champions on the road.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 16-8, Defending Champions
The Dodgers are 16–8 and the two-time defending World Series champions. They’re trying to become the first team to three-peat since the 2000 Yankees.
Dodgers Strengths:
- 16-8 record (elite team, best in NL West)
- Shohei Ohtani (53-game on-base streak ended recently)
- Kyle Tucker (facing former team)
- Freddie Freeman back from paternity list
- Max Muncy hot (two homers in recent game)
Emmet Sheehan Starting:
- 2-0, 5.85 ERA (vulnerable!)
- Gets the ball in homestand opener
- ERA over 5.00 is exploitable
Recent Dodgers Games:
- Lost to Giants 3–0 (shut out for first time in 2026)
- Lost to Giants 3–1 (back-to-back losses vs SF)
- Beat Rockies 12–3 Monday (Muncy 2 HRs)
- Coming off 7-game road trip
What We’re Facing:
- Two-time defending champs at home
- Shohei Ohtani, Freeman, Tucker, Muncy
- But Sheehan’s 5.85 ERA is vulnerable
- Dodger Stadium at 9:10 PM CT (late West Coast start)
The Dodgers are the best team in baseball. But they just got shut out twice by the Giants and Sheehan’s ERA is 5.85.
Key Matchups at Dodger Stadium
Jameson Taillon (3.97 ERA) vs Dodgers Lineup
Taillon needs to navigate Ohtani, Freeman, Tucker, and Muncy. Keep us in the game.
Cubs Offense (66 runs in 9 games) vs Emmet Sheehan (5.85 ERA)
We’ve scored 66 runs in nine games. Sheehan has a 5.85 ERA. ATTACK HIM.
Suzuki, Happ, Busch vs Dodgers Pitching
All three homered yesterday. Suzuki has 3 HRs, Happ has 7, Busch has 2. Keep it going.
Late West Coast Start
9:10 PM CT start at Dodger Stadium. Stay focused on the road against the champs.
What the Cubs Need at Dodger Stadium
Jameson Taillon Gives Us 6 Quality Innings
The Dodgers’ lineup is LOADED. Taillon needs 6 innings, 3-4 runs to keep us in it.
Offense Attacks Sheehan’s 5.85 ERA
We’ve scored 66 runs in nine games. Sheehan’s ERA is 5.85. Jump on him early.
Suzuki, Happ, Busch Stay Hot
All three homered yesterday. Keep the power surge going at Dodger Stadium.
Extend to TEN IN A ROW
Nine-game win streak. Facing the defending champs. Win tonight and make it TEN.
Cubs Fan Prediction: We Keep It Going
Final Score: Cubs 6, Dodgers 5
Jameson Taillon battles—6 innings, 4 runs against the loaded Dodgers lineup. Sheehan struggles (5.85 ERA) and we jump on him for 6 runs.
Seiya Suzuki stays hot. Ian Happ reaches base multiple times. We ATTACK Sheehan’s high ERA.
The Dodgers score 5 but it’s not enough. We win on the road at Dodger Stadium.
One-run win. We’re 17–9, EIGHT GAMES OVER .500. TEN-GAME WIN STREAK. Beating the defending champs in LA.
Why the Series Opener Matters
We’re 16–9 on a NINE-GAME WIN STREAK after yesterday’s wild walk-off. The Dodgers are 16–8, the two-time defending World Series champions.
Win tonight and we’re 17–9, EIGHT GAMES OVER .500 with a TEN-GAME WIN STREAK. Beating the champs on the road at Dodger Stadium.
Can we make it ten? Will Taillon contain Ohtani and Freeman? Can we exploit Sheehan’s 5.85 ERA?
We went 78–84 last year. Going 17–9 with TEN STRAIGHT wins against the DEFENDING CHAMPS would be INCREDIBLE.
Go Cubs Go. Make it TEN in LA.