After splitting a pair of one-run games to begin the series, the host Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers get back together for the rubber match of their three-game series Wednesday. Both National League contenders used late rallies to claim a victory during Tuesday’s doubleheader.
The Dodgers took advantage of Chicago’s short-handed bullpen to score two runs in the ninth and claim a 4-3 win in the series opener Tuesday afternoon, but Albert Almora Jr.’s RBI single in the 10th inning lifted the Cubs to a 2-1 victory in the nightcap. Chicago was without closer Brandon Morrow, who was unavailable due to back tightness. The split dropped the Cubs a half-game behind Milwaukee in the NL Central, but they ended a four-game losing streak against the Dodgers in the regular season. Los Angeles has now won 22 of its last 28 and pulled within 1 1/2 games of NL West leader Arizona.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet Los Angeles, WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (6-1, 1.76 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (8-2, 2.28)
Stripling has been a revelation for the Dodgers, first out of the bullpen and now as a starter. The 28-year-old has won his last six outings and has posted a 2.12 ERA in nine starts. Stripling will make his first start against the Cubs after pitching six scoreless innings across three relief appearances.
Lester has earned the win in his last four starts and six of his last seven. The 34-year-old posted his third straight quality start when he won at St. Louis on Friday, allowing two runs and five hits over six innings. Lester is 2-3 with a 3.89 ERA in seven regular-season meetings against the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs SS Addison Russell is hitting .348 in June and has reached base in his last 13 games with an at-bat.
2. Dodgers 3B Justin Turner, who is riding a six-game hitting streak, is 0-for-14 with four strikeouts versus Lester.
3. Cubs RHP Yu Darvish, who has been on the disabled list since May 23 with inflammation in his right triceps, is scheduled to throw a simulated game Wednesday.