Series Preview: Dodgers look to bounce back against red-hot Cubs

Because the top-end talent is still producing in flashes. Freddie Freeman continues to look like the most stable bat in the lineup, recording multiple hits in two of the three games against the Giants. Kyle Tucker showed signs of breaking out of a quieter stretch with a decisive, first-pitch double Thursday that helped spark the only win of the series.

And then there’s Ohtani, whose 53-game on-base streak ended Wednesday in an 0-for-4 night that mirrored the lineup’s broader inconsistency. Even with that, he’s still been one of the most impactful players in the league — just not recently at the plate.

The more interesting development is happening around them.

Dalton Rushing has quickly forced his way into the conversation as more than just a depth piece. In limited time, he’s driven in 14 runs in just 10 games and is 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position. In a lineup that went 0-for-8 in those spots through the first two games in San Francisco, that production isn’t just helpful — it’s stabilizing.

That speaks to a larger takeaway: this lineup may not need to be perfect top to bottom, but it does need timely hitting to function at its best. When that disappears, even elite pitching doesn’t matter.

On the mound, the Dodgers still hold a clear edge most nights.

Emmet Sheehan has quietly given them consistent length and command early in the season. Roki Sasaki’s numbers haven’t followed yet, but the underlying stuff — swing-and-miss ability, strikeout potential — still suggests a breakout start is coming. Justin Wrobleski has been the early surprise with his 1.88 ERA, attacking hitters and limiting damage in a way that has turned him into a reliable option in the back half of the rotation.

So the focus this weekend isn’t just on getting hits. It’s on how they generate them. Cleaner at-bats. Better sequencing. Capitalizing on the few opportunities they create.

Because against a team playing as well as the Cubs right now, waiting for things to click isn’t an option.

Cubs (16-9, 1st in NL Central)

The Cubs arrive in Los Angeles as one of the hottest teams in baseball, winners of nine straight and outscoring opponents 58-20 over that stretch.

But what stands out isn’t just the streak — it’s how they’re doing it.

Seiya Suzuki has homered in three straight games and looks fully settled after a slow start tied to limited spring reps. Dansby Swanson, after opening the year cold, has five home runs over his last 14 games and is getting on base at a .356 clip in that span. Nico Hoerner continues to set the table, while Alex Bregman is quietly heating up, hitting .340 over his last 11 games.

Even former Dodger Michael Busch, who struggled early, has started to show signs of life with back-to-back games impacting the scoreboard.

On the pitching side, the Cubs don’t necessarily overpower, but they’ve been efficient.

Shota Imanaga has been the anchor, carrying one of the best WHIPs in baseball while limiting hard contact. Colin Rea has quietly provided stability in the rotation, consistently working into the middle innings and avoiding big innings. Even Jameson Taillon, despite the inflated 5.85 ERA, has benefited from strong run support and an offense that can flip games quickly.

The bullpen, however, is where things get complicated.

Injuries have thinned their late-inning options, and they’ve had to piece together outs in high-leverage spots. During this winning streak, they’ve won multiple games that required offensive bailouts late — including a 10-inning, 8-7 walk-off win yesterday against the Phillies.

Pitching Probables

Friday, April 24: Emmet Sheehan (2-1, 2.10 ERA) vs. Jameson Taillon (2-0, 5.85 ERA)

Saturday, April 25: Roki Sasaki (0-2, 6.11 ERA) vs. Colin Rea (3-0, 3.00 ERA)

Sunday, April 26: Justin Wrobleski (3-0, 1.88 ERA) vs. Shota Imanaga (2-1, 2.17 ERA)

Injury Report

Dodgers

Day-to-day: None

10-day IL: SS Mookie Betts, INF/OF Tommy Edman

15-day IL: RHP Ben Casparius, RHP Edwin Diaz, RHP Brusdar Graterol, RHP Landon Knack, RHP Brock Stewart, LHP Blake Snell

60-day IL: RHP Jake Cousins, INF/OF Kiké Hernández, RHP Bobby Miller, RHP Evan Phillips, RHP Gavin Stone

Cubs

Day-to-day: LHP Caleb Thielbar

10-day IL: None

15-day IL: RHP Hunter Harvey, RHP Porter Hodge, RHP Phil Maton, RHP Daniel Palencia, RHP Ethan Roberts, LHP Jordan Wicks

60-day IL: 1B Tyler Austin, RHP Cade Horton, RHP Shelby Miller, LHP Justin Steele,