Dodgers Score: Game Updates vs Cubs on Friday, Betting Odds; Mookie Betts Returns to Starting Lineup
The Dodgers and Cubs are getting set for game two of their four-game series in Chicago, and this one’s an early one. The Dodgers are coming off a huge game one victory where James Outman hit two home runs, including a go-ahead grand slam in the 9th inning, to get the Dodgers back to .500 on the season.
On the mound for the Dodgers on Friday is their ace, Julio Urias, who’s off to a dominant start this 2023 season (more on him later). On the other side of things, the Cubs are sending out LHP Drew Smyly, who threw 5.2 innings against the Dodgers earlier this week, allowing one run and striking out three. Here’s the lineup the Dodgers are sending out to face Smyly:
Mookie Betts is back in the Dodgers starting lineup. He entered Thursday’s game as a pinch-hitter in the 7th inning, and immediately got a single. He then took over at shortstop for the first time in his MLB career, and even turned a 6-3 leaping double play. However, on Friday, he’s back in right field.
James Outman is in the Dodgers lineup coming off his monster game, and is batting sixth. It’s nice to see Dave Roberts putting Outman in against a lefty, considering he should be an everyday player no matter who’s on the mound.
Luke Williams is starting at shortstop — which makes sense considering there are no other options if Mookie is in right — and Austin Wynns is getting the start behind the plate with Will Smith out for the rest of the series.
Full Lineups, Betting Odds and More Stats
Pitching Matchup
Julio Urias is off to a dominant start this 2023 season. He’s gone six innings in three of his starts, and 5.2 innings in the most recent one. He hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his four starts, and has struck out at least six in all of them. He’s making an early case to finally make his first All-Star team, and will look to continue that on Friday. Here’s the full pitching matchups with all the updated stats on Urias and Smyly:
How To Follow Along
The Dodgers will be looking to get back above .500, and Urias will hope to go deep into the game to give the bullpen a rest. On Friday, the Dodgers bullpen had to throw six innings, as Phil Bickford, Justin Bruihl, Yency Almonte, Caleb Ferguson and Brusdar Graterol all pitched.
First pitch for Thursday’s game is at 11:20 a.m. PT. You can watch it on MLB Network and/or Spectrum SportsNet LA, or listen to it on AM570 radio.
Also, if you can’t watch or listen (or even if you can) make sure to follow Dodgers Nation on Twitter for live play-by-play of the game, and to talk with tons of Dodger fans throughout it. You can follow by clicking this link right here.
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