The Chicago Cubs face the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, April 26, at 3:10 CT. The Cubs have a mixed record in third games of series after splitting the first two.
Key points
Cubs face Dodgers on April 26 at 3:10 CT
Cubs are 26-30 in third games after splitting series
Moises Ballesteros has highest OPS among Cubs debut players
Seiya Suzuki has been hitting well recently
Cubs history includes a walk-off home run by Don Zimmer in 1961
Chicago CubsLos Angeles DodgersMoises BallesterosSeiya Suzuki
SPLITTING THE DIFFERENCE: This is the Cubsâ 123rd series at Los Angeles against the Dodgers. In 41, one third of them, the teams have split the first two of three-game series. The Cubs then won the third game of 20 and lost the third game of 21. They are 16-11 after winning the first game and losing the second, as they have this weekend. The teams also split the first two games of 15 four-game series. The Cubs won six and lost nine of the third games of those series. So in all 56 series in which the first two games were split, the Cubs are 26-30 in third games. The Cubs won two of three each of the last three years. They won, lost and won in 2023; won, won and lost in 2024; and lost, won and won a year ago. (Courtesy BCBâs JohnW53)
THE KID CAN FLAT-OUT HIT:Moises Ballesteros is slashing .397/.446/.690, for an OPS of 1.136. In his two-season, 44-game, 131-plate-appearance career, his line is .348/.420/.583, 1.002. His OPS is highest among 116 players who made their MLB debut as a Cub and had at least that many PA in their first 44 games. Ray Grimes is second, at .968, and Mandy Brooks and Bob Speake are tied for third, at .952. Then come Earl Webb, .937; Kyle Schwarber, .928; Matt Murton, .920; Geovany Soto, .906; Dwight Smith, .885 and Mike Fontenot, .881. Ballesteros is second highest is batting average behind Grimesâ .3651 and ahead of Herman Reichâs .336. Ballesteros is third in OBP, too, behind Grimesâ .472 and Kosuke Fukudomeâs .420. And Ballesteros is third in SLG, too, behind Mandy Brooks (.600) and Speake (.597). He leads Schwarber (.560) and Earl Webb (.551). (Courtesy BCBâs JohnW53)
Q&A
What is the Cubs' record in third games after splitting the first two against the Dodgers?
The Cubs are 26-30 in third games of series where they split the first two against the Dodgers.
How is Moises Ballesteros performing in his MLB career?
Moises Ballesteros is slashing .397/.446/.690 with an OPS of 1.136 in his first 44 games, the highest among Cubs debut players.
What has been Seiya Suzuki's performance in the last 10 games?
Seiya Suzuki has hit .389/.488/.750 with four home runs and seven RBI in his last 10 games since April 15.
What significant event happened in Cubs history on April 26, 1961?
On April 26, 1961, Don Zimmer hit a walk-off home run in the 10th inning, leading the Cubs to a 3-2 victory over the Reds.
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SEIYA, HEATING UP:Seiya Suzuki, last 10 games since April 15: .389/.488/.750 (14-for-36) with a double, four home runs, five walks, seven RBI and nine runs scored.
TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Don Zimmer hit a one-out walk-off home run in the 10th inning and the Cubs defeated the Reds 3-2. It happened 65 years ago today, Wednesday, April 26, 1961.
The Cubs lineup was not available at posting time. Please check BCB social media for the Cubs lineup.
After a somewhat rough first start this year, ShĆta Imanaga has been just magnificent over his last four outings: 1.13 ERA, 0.542 WHIP, only two home runs in 24 innings, with just four walks and 25 strikeouts. He went from an 11-K outing vs. the Phillies in Philadelphia to having a game with just one strikeout but 11 ground outs against the same team at Wrigley Field.
ShĆta threw four no-hit innings against the Dodgers last year in Tokyo (though with four walks), then got touched up for five runs in five innings (with three home runs allowed) against them at Wrigley Field. He has never pitched at Dodger Stadium.
As always with ShĆta, keeping the ball in the yard is key.
Justin Wrobleski is off to a very good start in 2026 in four appearances (three starts), with a 1.88 ERA and 0.875 WHIP and no home runs allowed in 24 innings.
As you can see from the chart below, he doesnât throw particularly hard, but does have a good pitch mix. He doesnât strike out a lot of guys (just nine so far this year), though he did last year (mostly as a reliever).
He has never faced the Cubs. Among current Cubs, only Alex Bregman (0-for-3) and Carson Kelly (0-for-2) have ever seen him.
Please visit our SB Nation Dodgers site True Blue LA. If you do go there to interact with Dodgers fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
Youâll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled âCubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.â It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly âFirst Pitchâ) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
