The final matchup of today’s 15-game MLB slate will be between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Los Angeles will be looking to bounce back from the 16-0 loss to Chicago last night with the Dodgers coming fully unraveled in the late innings. They will face off in the rubber match tonight after winning the opening game of the series 3-0.
The Dodgers will enter this matchup as 1.5-favorites on the run line at -118 odds and -250 on the Moneyline at DraftKings Sportsbook. The Cubs hold +205 odds on the Moneyline with the game total set at 8.5.
This article will dive into the top player prop options for this National League battle. Links to DraftKings Sportsbook provided for all bets below!
Colin Rea Over 2.5 Runs Allowed (-160)
The Chicago Cubs will be riding high following their 16-0 victory last night. But today will be a new challenge as Colin Rea is set to make his first start of the season. The 34-year-old has pitched out of the bullpen this year, logging 5.1 innings in three appearances, allowing five hits and zero runs. Injuries to Justin Steele and Javier Assad have forced the Cubs to make the change and Rea started in 27 games with the Brewers last year.
Across these 27 starts and the 32 appearances Rea made for Milwaukee, he went 12-6 with a 4.29 ERA, 4.75 FIP, and 1.26 WHIP. While he struck out a career-high 135 hitters, Rea was hit hard when contact was made. He ranked in the 11th percentile in average exit velocity and 21st in hard-hit rate. He has struggled against lefties in his career, posting a 1.32 WHIP and 4.89 FIP to left-handed hitters.
The Dodgers’ offense was completely shut down yesterday and don’t expect this to happen twice. Los Angeles still is not fully clicking but ranks ninth in the MLB in runs as a team and has only been held to fewer than 2.5 runs in a game twice this season. Expect the bats to wake up for the Dodgers and for Colin Rea to allow over 2.5 runs as he did in 14 of his appearances last season.
Shohei Ohtani to Record an RBI (+110)
One of the Dodgers likely to do damage is Shohei Ohtani. The three-time NL MVP has tallied 18 hits across his first 61 at-bats so far this year. He has four home runs, five RBIs, and is posting hitting splits of .295/.403/.541.
Ohtani has faced Colin Rea six times thus far in their respective MLB careers. Twice this resulted in the ball being sent over the fence for a home run. While I wouldn’t argue with it being worth taking a chance on the +195 odds of Ohtani hitting a home run, I prefer the flexibility brought on by taking the +110 odds for the Dodgers star to record an RBI. Ohtani will benefit from Rea’s struggles with left-handed hitters and can capitalize on driving runners outside of himself as well. If Rea is chased from the game early, the Cubs’ bullpen is posting a collective 4.53 ERA.
Look for Ohtani to lead the charge in getting this Dodgers offense back on track by delivering with an RBI tonight. He needs to get back on track to the NL-leading 130 RBIs he produced last year with only five through his opening 16 games this season. With a matchup advantage and a strong track record against Rea, look for Ohtani to deliver tonight.
Kyle Tucker 2+ Total Bases (+145)
The Chicago Cubs made a splash this offseason by trading for Kyle Tucker and have been thrilled with the early turns. The three-time All-Star is off to a tear, producing five home runs and 18 RBIs across his first 17 games. Tucker ranks in the 95th percentile or better in xwOBA, xBA and xSLG. He is currently leading the MLB in hits, runs, and total bases while posting an impressive 1.108 OPS.
Tyler Glasnow will be on the mound for the Dodgers. He last pitched against the Phillies and was chased after two innings after giving up five runs. Glasnow has pitched just 7.0 innings this season and is posting a 6.43 ERA in this small sample size. Tucker has faced Glasnow three times in his career and produced one hit thus far.
Coming off a pair of hits during yesterday’s 16-0 victory, look for Tucker to pick up right where he left off and record 2+ total bases again tonight. He is seeing the ball well at the plate and, with extension talks in the works, look for this impressive output to continue. Tucker has recorded 2+ total bases in 10 of the 17 games he has played thus far and look for him to add to this tonight in a favorable matchup.
