The anticipated Sho Show at Wrigley Field this weekend might dodge most raindrops, albeit with chilly temperatures in the mix. It’s regrettable that the scheduling didn’t align for the Japanese star pitchers from both teams to square off, though they’ll still take the mound during the series.
Looking at the forecast for Sunday, it doesn’t seem promising, with showers likely and temperatures hovering around 47 degrees Fahrenheit. Considering this, it’s worth discussing potential makeup dates that wouldn’t infringe upon the Collective Bargaining Agreement’s rules regarding consecutive game days or cause travel inconveniences for either team. July 8, August 8, and September 5 are viable options for rescheduling if the weather deteriorates as expected.
In terms of historical context, Friday’s game marks the 2,135th meeting between the Cubs and Dodgers since the latter joined the National League in 1892, making it one of their earliest encounters by date. Fun fact: On April 4, 1996, they faced off at home, resulting in a 9-4 victory for the Cubs after a spirited performance.
The Cubs-Dodgers rivalry spans over a century, with the teams separated by just 20 wins. Despite the Dodgers leading 1,070-1,050, there have been 14 ties. Notably, before the Dodgers relocated to Los Angeles, the Cubs held a 59-game advantage, while since then, the Dodgers have surged ahead by 79 wins.
Regarding the upcoming pitching matchups, Friday sees Kyle Hendricks facing off against Bobby Miller, followed by Jordan Wicks taking on Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Saturday, and Shōta Imanaga squaring off against Gavin Stone on Sunday.
As for broadcast details, Friday’s game airs at 1:20 p.m. CT on Marquee Sports Network, while Saturday’s game will be broadcasted nationally on FS1 alongside Marquee Sports Network at 3:05 p.m. CT. Sunday’s game also airs on Marquee Sports Network at 1:20 p.m. CT.
Predicting the outcome, both teams enter the series on four-game winning streaks. While the Dodgers have a commendable 7-2 record, the Cubs have demonstrated resilience against tough opponents like the defending World Series champions, the Rangers. It’s anticipated to be a challenging series, and while winning two out of three would be ideal, a strong performance in all three games would suffice.
Looking ahead, the Cubs will hit the road for a three-game series against the Padres in San Diego starting Monday evening.
