The Los Angeles Dodgers arrive in Chicago on Monday for a three-game set that opens at 8:05 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field, and the market makes the defending champions a modest road favorite. That price feels light for a 61-34 club chasing a third straight title against a 52-42 Cubs team whose record looks a lot healthier than its roster.

One thing to clear up first. Tarik Skubal does not pitch tonight. The Dodgers landed the two-time Cy Young winner from Detroit on Saturday, sending top prospects Zyhir Hope and River Ryan the other way, but his debut comes Tuesday. Monday is Justin Wrobleski against Matthew Boyd, and that matchup still leans toward Los Angeles.

Wrobleski vs Boyd

Wrobleski has quietly built an All-Star season on strikes and soft contact, carrying a 2.88 ERA into August. Boyd deserves respect. The 35-year-old sits at 6-1 with a 3.41 ERA and has completed six innings in five straight starts, including seven shutout frames against St. Louis in the series we covered in our Cubs vs Cardinals call. What separates the two is run support. Los Angeles scores more than five runs a game, near the top of baseball, the same offense that cashed our Dodgers runs call against Philadelphia in July.

How the Skubal trade still helps the Dodgers tonight

Even without throwing a pitch, Skubal changes Monday night. His arrival lets Dave Roberts line up the rotation instead of stretching it, and it backs Chicago into a corner. Lose the opener and the Cubs face the best pitcher on the planet on Tuesday, already trailing the series.

Cubs injuries are the quiet story

The Cubs' injury report runs longer than their rotation. Out right now:

  • Justin Steele, Cade Horton and Shelby Miller (elbow and forearm, 60-day IL)
  • Ben Brown (neck) and Edward Cabrera (hamstring), both rotation options
  • Bullpen arms Daniel Palencia, Hoby Milner, Phil Maton, Gavin Hollowell and Hunter Harvey
  • Infielder Matt Shaw (hand)

The Dodgers are hurting too, with Will Smith, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow all shelved, yet they keep winning anyway. If it's tight in the eighth or ninth, the Dodgers are the team built to take advantage.

Dodgers vs Cubs head-to-head history

These franchises have real October history, splitting back-to-back NLCS meetings in 2016 and 2017, one apiece. Lately it's been just as tight, 5-5 since the start of 2025, but Los Angeles took two of three in April and outscored Chicago 18-4 in those two wins.

The case for Chicago

Boyd owns a 2.88 ERA at Wrigley, and the Cubs have won six of their last 10. Good teams lose to in-form lefties at home all the time. Call it a lean rather than a lock.

CALLED IT.'s Prediction

Kalshi prices Los Angeles at 55¢, an implied 54%. We have the true number at 58% on the starter gap, the healthier roster and an offense Chicago's shorthanded bullpen cannot hold late. Four points of edge on a market this readable is the trade.

CALLED IT. called this at 55¢. We have it at 58. That's the edge, and that's the position.

Dodgers vs Cubs FAQ

Is Tarik Skubal pitching for the Dodgers tonight? 

No. Skubal makes his Dodgers debut on Tuesday, August 4, in game two of the series at Wrigley Field.

Who are the starting pitchers for Dodgers vs Cubs on August 3? 

Justin Wrobleski starts for the Dodgers and Matthew Boyd for the Cubs, two left-handers in good form.

What time is Dodgers vs Cubs tonight? 

First pitch on Monday, August 3 is 8:05 p.m. ET (7:05 p.m. in Chicago) at Wrigley Field.


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