<p>The Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers kick-off a three-game weekend series at Dodger Stadium this Friday night. The first pitch in this key NL showdown is slated for 10:10 p.m. (ET) and the game will be available on MLB Extra Innings.</p>
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Cubs versus Dodgers Game Overview</div>
<p>The Cubs' recent six-game winning streak came to an abrupt end this past Wednesday night in a 4-2 loss to San Francisco as slight -104 road favorites. The total stayed UNDER the 7.5 closing line after it had gone OVER in six of their previous eight outings. Chicago heads into Thursday's series finale against the Giants with an overall record of 73-52 that includes a 34-26 record on the road.</p>
<p>Chicago has been one of the hottest teams in the National League over the past few weeks behind a lineup that is averaging 4.2 runs a game and a pitching staff that is ranked fifth in the league with a team ERA of 3.52. The Cubs will turn to Jason Hammel as their starter for Friday night. The right-hander is 7-5 this season with a 3.35 ERA and a WHIP of 1.09. In his last start against Atlanta he allowed two earned runs on six hits to pick up the win.</p>
<p>Los Angeles is holding onto a 2.5-game lead over the Giants in the NL West with an overall record of 69-56. It will be going for the series sweep against Cincinnati on the road this Thursday after winning the first two games by a combined score of 12-5. The Dodgers had gone 0-5 in the first five games of this eight-game road trip against Oakland and Houston. They will return home for Friday's game with a solid 42-20 record at Dodger Stadium this year. The total went OVER in Wednesday's 7-4 victory against the Reds after staying UNDER in their previous five contests.</p>
<p>The Dodgers matchup well with Chicago when it comes to scoring with an average of an average of 4.1 runs a game. Their pitching staff also matches up with the Cubs with a team ERA of 3.49. Los Angeles will send Clayton Kershaw to the mound as its starter for this series opener. The left-hander has been sharp over his past two starts with just two earned runs, but the Dodgers lost both games due to a lack of run support. Overall, he is 10-6 with a 2.29 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP.</p>
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<strong>Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Trends</strong></div>
<p>The Cubs are 9-3 in their last 12 road games and they are 9-1 in Game 1 of their last 10 series. The total has gone OVER in six of their last seven series openers.</p>
<p>The Dodgers are 2-7 in their last nine games against a team with a winning record and they have lost Game 1 in six of their last seven series. The total has gone OVER in seven of their last nine games against the NL Central.</p>
<p>Los Angeles has a 15-6 edge in the last 21 meetings, but the season series is tied 2-2. The total has stayed UNDER in all four games.</p>