Chicago Cubs @ Los Angeles Dodgers – Series Preview (April 11-13): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4
The Cubs (9-6) just wrapped up their first homestand of 2025, going 4-2 against a pair of contending teams in the Padres and Rangers at a chilly Wrigley Field. The offense was very productive despite the cold temperatures, scoring 36 runs across those six games. Chicago will get better weather conditions back out on the road to the West Coast this weekend. Unfortunately, the Cubs will also have to face the mighty Dodgers starting Friday night.
Los Angeles (10-4) won their first six games at Chavez Ravine after beating the North Siders twice in Japan to begin the season. Things got a little tougher for the defending champions when they went out east to Philadelphia and Washington and dropped both series, but manager Dave Roberts‘ squad is tough to beat at home.
The Dodgers’ three-headed lineup monster of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman is already off to an unbelievable start in 2025, although Freeman just went on the IL with a bum ankle. They have a team OPS of .775 and top baseball with 28 home runs through 14 games. Teoscar Hernández has five homers to lead the way out of the cleanup spot.
LA’s pitching staff has a 3.22 ERA that ranks sixthth in MLB. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been outstanding at the top of the rotation with a nice 1.69 ERA, and Dustin May looks excellent coming back from Tommy John surgery. They did have to place new addition Blake Snell on the injured list with a shoulder issue on Tuesday, so that hurts their depth.
Roki Sasaki has had some major control issues in his first season in the US, walking 11 batters in 8.2 innings, putting more pressure on the bullpen to clean things up. Left-hander Tanner Scott was signed to be the closer, and veterans Blake Treinen and Kirby Yates are other key pieces. In case you’re keeping score at home, that’s a whole lot of pitchers who were tied to the Cubs at one point or another this past winter.
The Cubs are just six games into a stretch of 20 consecutive matchups against teams with winning records. They have acquitted themselves quite well so far, but West Coast trips can go sideways quickly. If they can hold their own the next 14 days, Chicago will be in the catbird seat in the mediocre National League Central.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Friday, April 11 at 9:10pm CT on Marquee.
- Saturday, April 12 at 9:10pm CT on Marquee.
- Sunday, April 13 at 6:00pm CT on ESPN.
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | FIP | K/BB |
| 4/11 | Matthew Boyd | 34 | L | 0.00 | 1-0 | 2.54 | 2.50 |
| Yoshinobu Yamamoto | 26 | R | 1.69 | 1-1 | 3.37 | 3.17 | |
| 4/12 | Ben Brown | 25 | R | 7.71 | 1-1 | 5.22 | 1.67 |
| Roki Sasaki | 23 | R | 4.15 | 0–0 | 4.73 | 0.82 | |
| 4/13 | TBA | ||||||
| Tyler Glasnow | 31 | R | 6.43 | 1–0 | 3.57 | 1.25 |
What to Watch For
- The Cubs have yet to name a starter for Sunday’s game in what would have been Justin Steele‘s spot in the rotation.
- Seiya Suzuki had seven hits and two walks against the Rangers.
- Kyle Tucker had four more hits against Texas and had a couple of potential home runs knocked down by the Wrigley wind.
