The Chicago Cubs are trying to start another run Sunday afternoon, April 26, when they wrap up their series with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Chicago lost on Saturday after winning 10 straight games, and the finale now offers a quick chance to reset after a stretch in which the Cubs outscored opponents 72-31.
Shota Imanaga gets the ball for Chicago, and he has been sharp enough to steady a lineup that has been producing all month. Over his last four starts, Imanaga has a 1.13 ERA and a 0.542 WHIP, numbers that help explain why the Cubs are 10-1 straight up in their last 11 games overall. Ed Scimia’s view on the matchup is simple: Chicago prevails in the series finale.
The timing matters because Sunday’s game brings together two of the most dangerous offenses in the majors. The Dodgers rank second with 5.67 runs per game this year, while the Cubs are right behind them at 5.52. That kind of scoring has shown up in this series too, with the teams going over in five of their last six head-to-head meetings.
Los Angeles is also short-handed. Max Muncy is sitting out Sunday, and the Dodgers are dealing with injuries to Mookie Betts and Edwin Diaz. That does not erase the threat of a lineup built to score in bunches, but it does change the shape of a game that already carries plenty of offense and little margin for error.
The Cubs do not need a perfect afternoon to leave with momentum. They need the version of Imanaga that has kept them in front for most of the month, and they need a lineup that has already shown it can turn a hot stretch into something more lasting. Ed Scimia’s other read fits the moment as well: the Chicago Cubs will look to start a new winning streak as they wrap up their series with the Los Angeles Dodgers this afternoon.