MLB Wagering Lines – Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Ryan Dempster of the Chicago Cubs will take the mound tonight as he tries to overcome a pitiful start to the 2011 season.  Chicago sits at the bottom of the National League Central and looks to take a win from the Dodgers at home to even up the series at one apiece.

But Los Angeles, led by the bat of Andre Ethier, hopes to take advantage of Dempster tonight and put two wins together in a row.  The Dodgers, sitting at .500 on the season, are listed as the favorite in the MLB wagering lines, with the game total set at 7.5 runs.

Chicago Cubs (12-16) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (15-15)

Tuesday, May 3 at 10:10 PM ET

Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California

TV: WGN, KCAL

MLB Wagering Lines:  Chicago +1.5, Los Angeles -1.5, Game Total: 7.5 runs

The Dodgers won 5-2 last night over the Cubs behind a RBI by Ethier in the fifth inning, sparking a score of three runs to take the game-winning lead.  The Los Angeles bats have struggled at Dodger Stadium, averaging just 3.1 runs this season at home, but the team hopes to up the ante a bit against the struggling Dempster.

Opposite Dempster tonight will be the Dodgers Chad Billingsley.  With just two wins so far on the season, Billingsley has won his last three starts against Chicago, with a 3.38 ERA.  He is 1-0 at home but must be aware of Chicago’s Alfonso Soriano, who is batting .400 with five homeruns in just five games.

MLB Pitching Matchup:

R. Dempster (1-3, ERA 9.58) vs. C. Billingsley (2-1, ERA 4.46)

The Cubs will likely continue to falter tonight, even against a .500 team like the Dodgers.  With such inconsistent pitching, the Cubs are unable to score enough runs as to offset the runs allowed by the mound.  Even with Soriana, the current home run leader in baseball with 11 homers, Chicago’s defense is just too feeble.

Expect the Cubs to lose again tonight.  Playing behind Dempster, with a career-worst ERA of 9.58, as well as on the road in Los Angeles, the Cubs are not a good MLB bet. 

The smartest pick is to take the MLB wagering lines and place your money on the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second-game in the three-game series.

MLB Wagering Free Pick – Take the Dodgers -1.5!