Chicago @ Los Angeles Picks & Props

Dodger Stadium has the 7th-shallowest centerfield fences in the league. The weather report calls for temperatures in this matchup to reach the highest level of all games on the slate at 96°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts). Home field advantage typically bolsters batter metrics across the board, and Chris Taylor will hold that advantage in today's game. In the last week, Chris Taylor's Barrel% has experienced a surge, jumping from his seasonal rate of 7.8% up to 16.7%. Chris Taylor has been hot of late, raising his seasonal exit velocity of 86.1-mph to 94-mph in the last 7 days.

Dodger Stadium has the 7th-shallowest centerfield fences in the league. The weather report calls for temperatures in this matchup to reach the highest level of all games on the slate at 96°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts). Michael Busch will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Walker Buehler in today's game. Michael Busch's launch angle lately (-1° over the last week) is considerably worse than his 15.3° seasonal angle. Michael Busch has posted a .328 BABIP this year, placing in the 88th percentile.

When it comes to his overall offensive skill, Ian Happ ranks in the 92nd percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Ian Happ is penciled in 1st in the lineup in today's game. Dodger Stadium has the 7th-shallowest centerfield fences in the league. The weather report calls for temperatures in this matchup to reach the highest level of all games on the slate at 96°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts). As a switch-hitter who performs better from the 0 side of the plate, Ian Happ will get to bat from his better side against Walker Buehler in today's game.

Pete Crow-Armstrong's BABIP ability is projected in the 86th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Dodger Stadium has the 7th-shallowest centerfield fences in the league. The weather report calls for temperatures in this matchup to reach the highest level of all games on the slate at 96°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts). Pete Crow-Armstrong will hold the platoon advantage over Walker Buehler in today's matchup. Pete Crow-Armstrong has made significant strides with his Barrel% of late, improving his 7.4% seasonal rate to 14.3% over the past week.

Kyle Hendricks will hold the platoon advantage against Mookie Betts in today's game. Out of all the teams in action today, the 2nd-strongest infield defense is that of the the Chicago Cubs. Mookie Betts's average exit velocity has decreased this season; his 92.4-mph average last year has fallen to 90.2-mph. Mookie Betts's average launch angle on his highest exit velocity balls this year (14°) is a significant dropoff from his 18.6° mark last year. The leading projection system (THE BAT X) estimates Mookie Betts's true offensive skill to be a .367, providing some evidence that he has had positive variance on his side this year given the .023 discrepancy between that figure and his actual .390 wOBA.

Batting from the same side that Kyle Hendricks throws from, Teoscar Hernandez faces a tough challenge in today's matchup. Today, Teoscar Hernandez is at a disadvantage facing the league's 8th-deepest RF fences given that he hits his flyballs to the opposite field at a 35.6% rate (87th percentile). Out of all the teams in action today, the 2nd-strongest infield defense is that of the the Chicago Cubs. Teoscar Hernandez has been cold in recent games, with his seasonal exit velocity of 90.7-mph dropping to 87.2-mph in the last two weeks. Teoscar Hernandez's ability to hit the ball at a base hit-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has declined from last season to this one, decreasing from 47.7% to 42.1%.

Gavin Lux's BABIP ability is projected in the 84th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). The weather report calls for temperatures in this matchup to reach the highest level of all games on the slate at 96°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts). Hitting from the opposite that Kyle Hendricks throws from, Gavin Lux will have an edge in today's game. The Chicago Cubs have just 1 same-handed RP in their bullpen, so Gavin Lux stands a good chance of never facing a bullpen mismatch all game. Gavin Lux hits many of his flyballs to center field (39.3% — 95th percentile) and is fortunate to face MLB's 9th-shallowest CF fences in today's game.

It may be wise to expect improved performance for the Chicago Cubs offense in the future, considering that the leading projection system (THE BAT X) sees them as the 3rd-unluckiest offense in the game this year. Todd Tichenor grades out as a Huge Hitters Umpire and is likely to be umping today. Projected catcher Will Smith projects as a weak pitch framer, per the leading projection system (THE BAT). Dodger Stadium profiles as the #5 field in Major League Baseball for home runs, per the leading projection system (THE BAT). Dodger Stadium has the lowest average fence height among all major league stadiums.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Nico Hoerner in the 96th percentile as it relates to his batting average skill. The weather report calls for temperatures in this matchup to reach the highest level of all games on the slate at 96°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts). Nico Hoerner has been unlucky in regards to his batting average this year; his .258 BA is considerably lower than his .281 Expected Batting Average, based on the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s interpretation of Statcast data. Sporting a 1.54 K/BB rate this year, Nico Hoerner has demonstrated impressive plate discipline, placing in the 93rd percentile.

When it comes to his overall offensive talent, Dansby Swanson ranks in the 88th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Dansby Swanson is projected to bat 2nd in the batting order in this game, which would be an upgrade from his 80% rate of hitting in the bottom-half of the lineup this year. The weather report calls for temperatures in this matchup to reach the highest level of all games on the slate at 96°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts). Dansby Swanson hits a high percentage of his flyballs to center field (39.3% — 95th percentile) and sets up very well considering he'll be hitting out towards baseball's 9th-shallowest CF fences today. Dansby Swanson has made significant gains with his Barrel% lately, bettering his 9.3% seasonal rate to 16.1% over the last 14 days.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Seiya Suzuki in the 96th percentile when estimating his overall offensive talent. Seiya Suzuki is penciled in 3rd in the lineup in today's game. The weather report calls for temperatures in this matchup to reach the highest level of all games on the slate at 96°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts). Seiya Suzuki hits a high percentage of his flyballs to center field (42.8% — 100th percentile) and will have a big advantage facing the game's 9th-shallowest CF fences in today's matchup. In the last 7 days, Seiya Suzuki's exit velocity on flyballs has fallen from his seasonal figure of 93 mph to 88.3 mph.

Isaac Paredes is penciled in 5th in the lineup in today's game. Dodger Stadium has the 7th-shallowest centerfield fences in the league. The weather report calls for temperatures in this matchup to reach the highest level of all games on the slate at 96°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts). In terms of plate discipline, Isaac Paredes's talent is quite impressive, posting a 1.39 K/BB rate this year while grading out in in the 95th percentile.

When estimating his overall offensive talent, Cody Bellinger ranks in the 82nd percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Cody Bellinger is projected to bat 4th in the lineup today. The weather report calls for temperatures in this matchup to reach the highest level of all games on the slate at 96°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts). Hitting from the opposite that Walker Buehler throws from, Cody Bellinger will have an advantage in today's matchup. Cody Bellinger has been hot in recent games, raising his seasonal exit velocity of 87.6-mph to 92-mph in the past week.

Tommy Edman's batting average talent is projected to be in the 82nd percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Dodger Stadium has the 7th-shallowest centerfield fences in the league. The weather report calls for temperatures in this matchup to reach the highest level of all games on the slate at 96°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts). Home field advantage generally improves hitter metrics in all categories, and Tommy Edman will hold that advantage in today's matchup.

Out of all the teams in action today, the 2nd-strongest infield defense is that of the the Chicago Cubs.

Max Muncy is projected to bat 4th in the batting order in this game. The weather report calls for temperatures in this matchup to reach the highest level of all games on the slate at 96°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts). Batting from the opposite that Kyle Hendricks throws from, Max Muncy will have the upper hand in today's game. The Chicago Cubs have just 1 same-handed RP in their bullpen, so Max Muncy can likely count on never losing the platoon advantage against the 'pen all game. Home field advantage generally bolsters hitter metrics across the board, and Max Muncy will hold that advantage in today's matchup.

Dodger Stadium has the 7th-shallowest centerfield fences in the league. The weather report calls for temperatures in this matchup to reach the highest level of all games on the slate at 96°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts). Miguel Amaya has made substantial gains with his Barrel% recently, improving his 5.3% seasonal rate to 12.5% over the past 7 days. Miguel Amaya's launch angle lately (20.7° over the past 14 days) is considerably better than his 9.8° seasonal figure. Miguel Amaya has experienced some negative variance in regards to his batting average this year; his .233 BA is considerably lower than his .246 Expected Batting Average, based on the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s interpretation of Statcast data.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Miguel Rojas in the 79th percentile when assessing his batting average ability. The weather report calls for temperatures in this matchup to reach the highest level of all games on the slate at 96°, which is highly linked to an increase in offense (and a reduction in strikeouts). Miguel Rojas will have the benefit of the home field advantage in today's game, which figures to improve all of his stats. Sporting a .282 Expected Batting Average (an advanced metric created by the leading projection system (THE BAT X) using Statcast data) this year , Miguel Rojas is ranked in the 91st percentile. When it comes to plate discipline, Miguel Rojas's ability is quite strong, putting up a 1.76 K/BB rate this year while grading out in in the 87th percentile.