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The Dodgers have been the National League’s standard-bearer all season, but four consecutive losses have introduced a rare note of uncertainty to a team that has otherwise operated with quiet dominance. Los Angeles arrives at Wrigley Field having been handed that fourth straight defeat by the Cubs themselves — a 10-5 result that underscored just how capable Chicago is of competing with the best. The Dodgers are still the class of the NL West, but the slide is real, and the Cubs are not inclined to let them off the hook.

Chicago has its own concerns. The offense has gone quiet over the last five games, a troubling development against a Dodgers pitching staff that can exploit any lull. Pete Crow-Armstrong — 24 home runs, 64 RBI, 26 stolen bases — gives the Cubs a genuine difference-maker at the top of the order, while Seiya Suzuki (.273, 19 HR, 63 RBI) provides middle-of-the-order punch. For Los Angeles, Max Muncy (.255, 21 HR, 49 RBI) and Kyle Tucker (.240, 9 HR, 51 RBI) anchor a lineup that has the depth to break out of any funk. Something has to give at Wrigley.

Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs Game Information

Game Date: August 04, 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 5.5 games back in the NL Central and occupy a wild card position, making every game against a division leader carry genuine weight. Los Angeles, meanwhile, is locked in a race with the Brewers for the best record in the National League — a four-game losing skid is not catastrophic, but it is the kind of stretch that can cost ground in a tight race. The Dodgers took two of three when these teams met earlier in the season, giving Chicago added motivation to flip that dynamic on home soil.

Chicago Cubs Team Statistics and Rankings

Win-Loss Record: 64-49
Home Record: 32-24
Away Record: 32-25
Division Record: 18-15
Streak: 1 Win streak
Winning Percentage: .566

Los Angeles Dodgers Team Statistics and Rankings

Win-Loss Record: 69-44
Home Record: 33-23
Away Record: 36-21
Division Record: 7-6
Streak: 4 Loss streak
Winning Percentage: .611

Stat Leaders

Chicago Cubs (64-49, #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, 75 Runs
Hits Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 119 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 (69-44, #1 in division)

Batting Average Leader: Enrique Hernández, 0.313
RBI Leader: Andy Pages, 74 RBI
Home Run Leader: Shohei Ohtani, 24 HR
Runs Leader: Shohei Ohtani, 71 Runs
Hits Leader: Freddie Freeman, 129 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. With 24 home runs, 64 RBI, 75 runs scored, and 26 stolen bases, he is putting together the kind of season that defines a franchise cornerstone. Against a Dodgers rotation that has been tested during this losing stretch, his combination of speed and power makes him a threat in every at-bat. Justin Dean, hitting .375, adds another dangerous element at the top of the order when he is in the lineup.

On the Los Angeles side, Shohei Ohtani — 24 home runs and 71 runs scored — remains the gravitational center of the Dodgers offense, and Freddie Freeman’s 129 hits reflect a player who has been consistently productive all season. Enrique Hernández is hitting .313 and provides a reliable complementary bat.

The pitching picture is complicated by injuries on both sides. Ben Brown, who carries a 1.85 ERA, is on the injured list with a neck issue, a significant absence for Chicago’s staff. Tyler Glasnow and Will Smith are both sidelined for Los Angeles. Eric Lauer (2.96 ERA, 5 wins) gives the Dodgers a capable arm to help stabilize a rotation under pressure, while Matthew Boyd (3.59 ERA, 7 wins) represents Chicago’s most reliable option to match him.

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.
Clay Holmes – Fibula (D60) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Clay Holmes from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list due to his right fibula fracture.
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 (D10) – The Los Angeles Dodgers placed C Dalton Rushing on the 10-day injured list.
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.
Kris Bubic – Elbow (D60) – The Los Angeles Dodgers placed LHP Kris Bubic on the 60-day injured list.
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 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
August 14, 2026 vs St. Louis Cardinals

Los Angeles Dodgers Upcoming 2026 Schedule

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
August 14, 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.