Blog

The Dodgers come to Wrigley Field having dropped three straight, a rare stumble for a team that has otherwise been the class of the National League. Los Angeles still leads its division, but the skid has created just enough uncertainty to make this matchup genuinely interesting. The Cubs, sitting 6.5 games back but firmly in the wild card picture, have won six of their last ten and are playing well enough at home to make life difficult for anyone walking through the ivy.

Pete Crow-Armstrong has been the engine of Chicago’s offense — 24 home runs, 64 RBI, 26 stolen bases, and 73 runs scored from a player who does damage in every phase of the game. On the other side, Max Muncy has been one of the more consistent power threats in the Dodgers lineup, with 21 home runs and 49 RBI, while Shohei Ohtani continues to operate at a level that demands attention every time he steps to the plate. With Los Angeles looking to stop the bleeding and Chicago looking to make a statement against the division leader, the conditions are set for a game with real weight behind it.

Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs Game Information

Game Date: August 03, 2026
Game Time: 08:05 PM ET
TV Channel: Marquee Sports Network and Spectrum SportsNet LA
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Live Stream: Fubo (free trial)

Game Preview

The Cubs sit 6.5 games behind the division leader but hold the top spot in the NL wild card race, ahead of the Diamondbacks and Phillies. Every game against a team like Los Angeles carries double value — a win tightens the wild card cushion while also chipping away at the division gap. For the Dodgers, who have gone 5-5 over their last ten games and lost three in a row, this is the kind of road test that reveals whether a team is in a minor rough patch or something more concerning. Neither team can afford to treat this lightly.

Chicago Cubs Team Statistics and Rankings

Win-Loss Record: 63-49
Home Record: 31-24
Away Record: 32-25
Division Record: 18-15
Streak: 1 Loss streak
Winning Percentage: .563

Los Angeles Dodgers Team Statistics and Rankings

Win-Loss Record: 69-43
Home Record: 33-23
Away Record: 36-20
Division Record: 7-5
Streak: 3 Loss streak
Winning Percentage: .616

Stat Leaders

Chicago Cubs (63-49, #2 in division)

Batting Average Leader: Justin Dean, 0.375
RBI Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 64 RBI
Home Run Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 24 HR
Runs Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 73 Runs
Hits Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 118 Hits
Stolen Bases Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 26 SB
ERA Leader: Ben Brown, 1.85 ERA
Strikeout Leader: Shota Imanaga, 119 K
Wins Leader: Colin Rea, 8 W
Saves Leader: Jacob Webb, 5 SV

Los Angeles Dodgers (69-43, #1 in division)

Batting Average Leader: Enrique Hernández, 0.385
RBI Leader: Andy Pages, 74 RBI
Home Run Leader: Shohei Ohtani, 24 HR
Runs Leader: Shohei Ohtani, 70 Runs
Hits Leader: Freddie Freeman, 128 Hits
Stolen Bases Leader: Andy Pages, 10 SB
ERA Leader: Shohei Ohtani, 1.79 ERA
Strikeout Leader: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 121 K
Wins Leader: Justin Wrobleski, 11 W
Saves Leader: Tanner Scott, 16 SV

What to Watch For

Crow-Armstrong is the player Cubs fans should be watching most closely. His combination of 24 home runs, 26 stolen bases, and 73 runs scored makes him one of the more complete offensive players in the league at this stage of the season, and he has the kind of profile that can single-handedly change a game’s complexion. Justin Dean, hitting .375, adds another dangerous dimension to a lineup that also features Seiya Suzuki (.273, 18 HR, 61 RBI) and a quietly productive Nico Hoerner (113 hits, 51 RBI).

The Cubs rotation has been reshuffled by injuries and roster moves. Ben Brown, who carried a 1.85 ERA before landing on the injured list with a neck issue, is unavailable, as is Edward Cabrera (hamstring). Matthew Boyd (3.41 ERA, 6 wins) and Javier Assad (3.75 ERA, 6 wins) represent the steadier options still available to Chicago.

For Los Angeles, Enrique Hernández is hitting .385 and provides a spark at the top of the order. Tyler Glasnow and Will Smith are both sidelined, and Dalton Rushing is listed as day-to-day with an arm issue, which puts added pressure on the players who are healthy. Justin Wrobleski leads the staff with 11 wins, and Tanner Scott has converted 16 saves out of the bullpen — two figures that will matter if this game stays close late.

Chicago Cubs Injury Report

Cade Horton – Forearm (D60) – The Chicago Cubs transferred RHP Cade Horton to the 60-day injured list due right forearm discomfort.
Hunter Harvey – Tricep (D60) – The Chicago Cubs transferred RHP Hunter Harvey to the 60-day injured list with right triceps inflammation.
Riley Martin – Elbow (D60) – The Chicago Cubs transferred LHP Riley Martin from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list due to left elbow flexor strain.
Daniel Palencia – Elbow (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Daniel Palencia on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.
Edward Cabrera – Hamstring (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Edward Cabrera on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.
Matt Shaw – Hand (D10) – The Chicago Cubs placed OF Matt Shaw on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained left hand.
Tyler Austin – Knee (D60) – The Chicago Cubs placed INF Tyler Austin on the 60-day injured list due to a right knee injury.
Justin Steele – Elbow (D60) – The Chicago Cubs placed LHP Justin Steele on the 60-day injured list with a left elbow injury.
Ethan Roberts – Forearm (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Ethan Roberts on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm inflammation.
Phil Maton – Knee (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Phil Maton on the 15-day injured list.
Gavin Hollowell – Shoulder (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Gavin Hollowell on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation.
Porter Hodge – Elbow (D60) – The Chicago Cubs transaferred RHP Porter Hodge to the 60-day injured list with a right elbow strain.
Hoby Milner – Appendicitis (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed LHP Hoby Milner on the 15-day injured list due to Appendicitis.
Ben Brown – Neck (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Ben Brown on the 15-day injured list with a neck strain.
Shelby Miller – Elbow (D60) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Shelby Miller on the 60-day injured list due to a right elbow UCL injury.

Los Angeles Dodgers Injury Report

Ben Casparius – Shoulder (D60) – The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred RHP Ben Casparius to the 60-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Blake Snell – Elbow (D60) – The Los Angeles Dodgers placed LHP Blake Snell on the 60-day injured list due to loose bodies in his left elbow.
Will Smith – Neck (D60) – The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred C Will Smith to the 60-day injured list with a neck inflammation.
Dalton Rushing – Arm (Day-to-Day) – Rushing was scratched from Sunday’s (Aug. 2) game due a minor arm issue.
Brock Stewart – Shoulder (D15) – The Los Angeles Dodgers placed RHP Brock on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder injury.
Brusdar Graterol – Shoulder (D60) – The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred RHP Brusdar Graterol from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list as he recovers from right shoulder surgery.
Bobby Miller – Shoulder (D60) – The Los Angeles Dodgers placed RHP Bobby Miller on the 60-day injured list with right shoulder soreness.
Tyler Glasnow – Back (D60) – The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred RHP Tyler Glasnow from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list with low back spasms.
Blake Treinen – Elbow (D15) – The Los Angeles Dodgers placed RHP Blake Treinen on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation.
Gavin Stone – Shoulder (D60) – The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred RHP Gavin Stone from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Jake Cousins – Elbow (D60) – The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred RHP Jake Cousins from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list due to recovery from Tommy John surgery (UCL reconstruction) on his right elbow.
Will Klein – Elbow (D15) – The Los Angeles Dodgers placed RHP Will Klein on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow discomfort.

Chicago Cubs Upcoming 2026 Schedule

August 03, 2026 vs Los Angeles Dodgers
August 04, 2026 vs Los Angeles Dodgers
August 05, 2026 vs Los Angeles Dodgers
August 06, 2026 vs Toronto Blue Jays
August 07, 2026 at Kansas City Royals
August 08, 2026 at Kansas City Royals
August 09, 2026 at Kansas City Royals
August 11, 2026 at Washington Nationals
August 12, 2026 at Washington Nationals
August 13, 2026 at Washington Nationals

Los Angeles Dodgers Upcoming 2026 Schedule

August 03, 2026 at Chicago Cubs
August 04, 2026 at Chicago Cubs
August 05, 2026 at Chicago Cubs
August 07, 2026 at Arizona Diamondbacks
August 08, 2026 at Arizona Diamondbacks
August 09, 2026 at Arizona Diamondbacks
August 10, 2026 vs Kansas City Royals
August 11, 2026 vs Kansas City Royals
August 12, 2026 vs Kansas City Royals
August 13, 2026 vs Milwaukee Brewers

Our game previews are produced programmatically using real-time data via Sportradar and AI writing tools. Articles are regularly reviewed for accuracy before publication.