Cubs vs. Dodgers NLCS Game 1 Betting Lines, Info & Pick

Written by on October 13, 2017

After escaping the Washington Nationals in their NLDS match-up, the Chicago Cubs get the grand prize of going up against Los Angeles Dodgers staff ace lefty Clayton Kershaw in the first game of the 2017 National League Championship Series on Saturday night. Let’s check the latest NLCS Game 1 betting lines and find out if the Cubs can pull off the road upset when this game goes down live from Dodger Stadium at 8:00 PM ET while airing live on TBS. Keep in mind the MLB odds for this matchup are still changing and the home team is resting since last Monday.

Chicago Cubs (95-72) at Los Angeles Dodgers (107-58) NLCS Game 1 Betting Lines, Info & Pick

  • When: Saturday, October 14, 8:00 PM ET
  • Where: Dodger Stadium
  • TV: TBS
  • Radio: 670 The Score, 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020, KMPC 1540, ESPN Radio
  • Live Stream: MLB.tv
  • NLCS Game 1 Betting Lines: Dodgers -190 / Cubs +160

Weather Forecast

  • Clear: 22°C/71°F
  • Humidity: 50%
  • Precipitation: 0%
  • Cloud Cover: 1%
  • Wind: 3 mph WNW
  • Stadium Type: Open

MLB – WHEN WILL SERIES FINISH?

Head to head Statistics (Last 10 Games)

  • Runs: Chicago Cubs 3.40 / Los Angeles Dodgers 3.40
  • Hits: Chicago Cubs 7.20 / Los Angeles Dodgers 6.60
  • Walks: Chicago Cubs 3.00 / Los Angeles Dodgers 3.60
  • Strike Outs: Chicago Cubs 9.30 / Los Angeles Dodgers 9.10
  • Over/Under: Chicago Cubs 3-7 / Los Angeles Dodgers 3-7

Probable Pitchers

Chicago Cubs: TBA After going the full five games, Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon hasn’t announced who will start Game 1 of the NLCS against the Dodgers although it will likely be either Jon Lester, John Lackey or Jose Quintana. Los Angeles Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw – L – (18-4, 2.31 ERA, 202 K) Kershaw started Game 1 of the NLDS against Arizona and got the win – although it should be noted that his much-publicized postseason struggles continued as he gave up four solo home runs in the Dodgers’ 9-5 win on Oct. 6. Kershaw gave up four runs while striking out seven in 6.1 innings against the Diamondbacks. In 10 career postseason starts, Kershaw has allowed 17 runs in the seventh inning.

Game Analysis

The Chicago Cubs got past the Washington Nationals 9-8 on Thursday night to win their NLDS matchup in the full five games. The Cubs came back from a 4-1 second-inning deficit and some mediocre pitching as starter Kyle Hendricks gave up four runs on nine hits including a pair of homers over four innings. Chicago used a whopping six relievers in Game 5 so that could play a vital role in the start of their NLCS series against the more well-rested Dodgers who swept Arizona in three games, including their 3-1 road win on Monday night. “Being able to set your rotation, not having to travel the first two games of the series, I think are huge advantages,” Roberts said about his team’s rest before the start of the NLCS. “That’s the byproduct of having the season that we had. To be at home, and watch games, and see how things work out and go through workouts the next few days, we’re in a good place.” The Dodgers and Cubs met six times during the regular season with Los Angeles going 4-2 and winning each of their last three meetings against Chicago. Los Angeles outscored Chicago 22-11 over the six games while recording three shutouts including a pair of their three-game homestand in May, some of the reasons the NLCS Game 1 Betting Lines are by their side.

Team Statistics

Chicago Cubs

Offense

  • Runs: 5.02
  • Hits: 8.57
  • Walks: 3.83
  • Strike Outs: 8.70

Defense

  • Runs: 4.28
  • Hits: 7.91
  • Walks: 3.47
  • Strike Outs: 8.86
Cubs are used to have the NLCS Game 1 Betting Lines against them. Los Angeles Dodgers

Offense

  • Runs: 4.79
  • Hits: 8.36
  • Walks: 4.03
  • Strike Outs: 8.53

Defense

  • Runs: 3.58
  • Hits: 7.53
  • Walks: 2.72
  • Strike Outs: 9.56

Latest NLCS Game 1 Betting Lines Trends

  • Cubs are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games
  • Cubs are 18-6 SU in their last 24 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs’s last 6 games
  • Dodgers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games
  • Dodgers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers’s last 6 games

Expert Betting Pick & Final Score Prediction

While Chicago has gone 6-2 in their last 8 playoff games and 9-4 in their last 13 Saturday games, Los Angeles has gone an insane 49-18 in their last 67 home games and equally impressive 72-33 in their last 105 games overall. Chicago ranked fourth in scoring this season (5.07 RPG) and seventh in team ERA (3.95) while Los Angeles ranked 12th in scoring (4.75 RPG), but a stellar second in team ERA (3.38). While Clayton Kershaw has been inconsistent in allowing an identical four earned runs in three of his last six starts, the Dodgers managed to win four of those games and I believe they’ll find a way to get the series-opening victory against Chicago in this contest. The Cubs are just 7-15 in their last 22 games against teams from the NL West, 1-5 in their last six games against a left-handed starter and 1-7 in their last 8 road games against a Southpaw starter while the Dodgers have gone 5-0 in their last five games against a team with a winning record, 11-3 in their last 14 home games against a team with a winning road record and a mind-boggling 45-9 in Clayton Kershaw’s last 54 starts. I’m expecting the Dodgers to hold down the fort at home to start their NLCS matchup against the defending World Series champions. Score: Chicago Cubs 3 – Los Angeles Dodgers 6