The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs face off in a highly anticipated National League showdown on April 22, 2025, at historic Wrigley Field. Both teams enter this matchup with strong records and aspirations that stretch far beyond April. The Dodgers, at 16–7, sit near the top of the NL West and are widely viewed as a World Series favorite once again, thanks to a powerhouse lineup and deep pitching staff. Meanwhile, the Cubs, with a 14–10 mark, have been one of the most pleasant surprises in the early going, finding ways to win games behind a resurgent pitching rotation and consistent situational hitting. Tuesday’s clash features a compelling pitching duel between Dodgers right-hander Dustin May (1–1, 3.60 ERA) and Cubs southpaw Shota Imanaga (2–1, 2.45 ERA), both of whom have been solid in the opening month of the season. With weather expected to be brisk and conditions variable as they often are in April at Wrigley, execution and pitching control will be vital in determining the game’s pace and outcome. Dustin May, the towering righty with electric stuff, brings a high-velocity fastball and sharp breaking pitches into a matchup that will test his command against a Cubs lineup that has shown patience and power. May’s early-season ERA sits at 3.60, but he’s been effective in generating ground balls and avoiding big innings, which has allowed the Dodgers to remain competitive in each of his starts. He’ll need to stay ahead in counts, especially against power threats like Cody Bellinger—who faces his former team—and Seiya Suzuki, who has delivered timely extra-base hits throughout April.

On the flip side, Cubs starter Shota Imanaga, the Japanese left-hander who signed in the offseason, has impressed with his deceptive delivery, low walk rate, and ability to neutralize right-handed bats. He’ll be tested by the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup, featuring Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman, all of whom have been productive and patient early in the season. The lefty-righty matchup dynamics throughout the game will play a significant role, and Imanaga’s ability to keep hitters off balance with his off-speed repertoire could be pivotal. Both teams enter the series with elite expectations but slightly different recent betting trends. The Dodgers, while winning games consistently, have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six road contests, highlighting some vulnerability in closing games out comfortably. The Cubs, meanwhile, have been consistent at home and resilient in close games, using timely offense and dependable relief pitching to manage late-inning scenarios effectively. From a tactical perspective, the Dodgers’ lineup depth gives them a clear edge—they can pile on runs in a hurry and grind down starting pitchers by working counts. However, the Cubs have shown they can win ugly, play small ball when needed, and manufacture runs through steals, sacrifice flies, and quality base running. With playoff-like energy expected at Wrigley and two strong starting pitchers on the mound, this game promises to be one of the more intense and closely contested matchups of the week. If both starters are sharp, the margin for error will be razor thin, and whichever team better executes the finer details—defensive positioning, bullpen management, and clutch hitting—will likely emerge with the edge in this nationally spotlighted showdown.