Dodgers vs. Cubs Prediction, MLB Picks for Tuesday, August 4

The first pitch of the matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers (69-44) and the Chicago Cubs (64-49) is set for 8:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 4, with the Dodgers favored and returning a 1.44x payout with a win, via PrizePicks.

On Monday night in the first game of the series, the Dodgers got off to a strong start with a 3-run home run from 2B Tommy Edman. That lead would be short-lived, however, with the Cubs going on to score 10 runs, including 4 home runs, to take the first game 10-5. 

Los Angeles now has lost four consecutive games, tying its longest streak of the season.

Tonight, the baseball world will have its attention on this matchup, with this being the beginning of the Tarik Skubal era for the Dodgers. He might be the jolt L.A. needs to break this losing streak.

Below, we'll break down our Dodgers vs. Cubs prediction and picks for Tuesday’s MLB matchup, including the run line, over/under, and key player picks for PrizePicks.

Make your Dodgers vs. Cubs prediction on PrizePicks for tonight’s game.

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Dodgers vs. Cubs Prediction, Winner Payout, Over/Under – Tuesday, August 4

Moving for Skubal (2.50 xFIP in 96.2 IP, 16 starts) was the trade baseball fans expected, with the Dodgers rumored to be the favorite to land him for weeks. L.A.'s getting the first back-to-back American League Cy Young winner since former Red Sox SP Pedro Martinez (1999-2000). 

Skubal had a shaky start to his season. He pitched well early with a 2.70 ERA and 2.11 FIP in his first seven starts, but he then missed almost two months after having loose bodies removed from his elbow. His return was rough (4.96 ERA in the three starts), but he’s looked like himself recently.

Since June 30, Skubal's leading all pitchers with a 1.6 WAR, ranking second with a 26.8% hard-hit rate allowed, as well as sixth with a 2.16 xERA.

The addition of Skubal has just made one of the best teams in baseball even better. They now have a stacked rotation featuring World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, former Cy Young winner Blake Snell, four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani, and Tyler Glasnow. 

The Dodgers are focused on putting themselves in the best position for October. With a 10-game lead in the NL West, they have control of their division, but now they're in a battle with the Milwaukee Brewers for the best record in the NL and a first-round bye.

The Cubs will counter with SP Javier Assad (4.35 xFIP in 69.2 IP, 18 appearances, 9 starts). Assad is an asset, with the Cubs using him in the bullpen and as a spot starter. He’s been much better as a starter than a bullpen arm, though (3.50 ERA vs. 4.24). He’s coming off three starts in which he allowed 2 or fewer earned runs.

The Cubs’ season has been full of highs and lows. They had a fantastic start to the year, going 27-12 and holding a 3.5-game lead in the NL Central. They quickly plummeted, losing 22 of their next 29 games and falling to 8.5 games out of first in the division.

They've since regrouped, going 30-15, and are 5.5 games out of first but are four games up on the top Wild Card spot.

Chicago’s rotation has been average, owning a 4.25 ERA that ranks 14th, but it's getting some help with the acquisition of veteran SP Kevin Gausman from the Blue Jays and SP Clay Holmes from the Mets.

Dodgers vs. Cubs Winner Payout, Over/Under – Tuesday, August 4

The Dodgers enter Tuesday’s game as road favorites, returning a 1.44x payout if they win outright, via PrizePicks Team Picks.

Here are the full payouts for the Dodgers vs. Cubs game on PrizePicks.

Play the Dodgers vs. Cubs spread or over/under on PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money — available in 36 states!

Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.

Dodgers vs. Cubs Prediction on Over/Under – 8/4/26

Here are the key game stats and trends behind our Dodgers vs. Cubs prediction on the run total for Tuesday, August 4.

Lock in your Dodgers vs. Cubs prediction on PrizePicks now.

Unless otherwise noted, data used in this article is from Baseball Savant or FanGraphs.

• Assad struggles to force opponents to chase pitches outside the strike zone, as his 22.9% chase rate places him in the first percentile. The Dodgers rank fourth in the league with a 27.6% chase rate.
• The Cubs have been great against left-handed pitchers, posting a league-leading .345 wOBA and ranking second with a .264 BA.
• Opposing batters can smash the ball against Assad, who is allowing a 45.8% hard-hit rate, which is in the sixth percentile. The Dodgers have the eighth-best hard-hit rate in baseball at 40.8%.
• Some of Skubal’s strengths, such as a 32.7% whiff rate that ranks in the 93rd percentile and a 36.5% chase rate that’s in the 95th percentile, are also strengths of the Cubs. Chicago’s 24.3% whiff rate is eighth, and its 27.5% chase rate is second.
• The Cubs’ 53.2% over rate sits ninth in the sport.

Dodgers vs. Cubs Picks, Player Stats for PrizePicks: 8/4/26

Here are the top Dodgers vs. Cubs picks to target on Tuesday, August 4. Today’s MLB picks for PrizePicks include Freddie Freeman and Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Dodgers 1B Freddie Freeman vs. Cubs: 5.5 Hitter Fantasy Score

• Freeman is one of the best hitters in baseball, with his .500 BA and .558 BABIP since July 20 leading the league and his .480 wOBA ranks fourth. 
• Assad is in the 16th percentile, allowing a .268 xBA. Freeman’s .301 xBA sits in the 98th percentile.
• The Cubs starter has been worse against left-handed batters, allowing a 20.5 HR/FB to lefties and an 8.1% HR/FB to righties, as well as a .341 wOBA to lefties and a .273 wOBA to righties.
• Assad throws the four-seamer and sinker on 56% of his pitches to left-handed batters. Freeman handles both very well, boasting a .429 wOBA and a 45.3% hard-hit rate against the four-seamer and a .375 wOBA and a 46.0% hard-hit rate against the sinker.

Add Freddie Freeman to your PrizePicks Lineup now.

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Cubs CF Pete Crow-Armstrong vs. Dodgers: 4.5 Hitter Fantasy Score

• After a rough start, Crow-Armstrong has become one of the hottest hitters in baseball. Since May 30, he leads the league in wOBA (.480), WAR (5.6), and BABIP (.424), 
• Although it is a small sample size, PCA is 1-for-3 lifetime against Skubal.
• There isn't much of a drop-off for the lefty Crow-Armstrong between right- and left-handed pitchers. He has a .398 wOBA against righties compared to .385 against lefties.
• The southpaw Skubal has been worse against left-handed hitters, posting a 30.0% HR/FB rate against lefties versus 10.1% against righties. PCA’s 25.7% HR/FB since May 30 is 13th in MLB.

Add Pete Crow-Armstrong to your PrizePicks Lineup now.

Make Dodgers vs. Cubs Picks on PrizePicks

Tarik Skubal will make his much-anticipated Dodger debut tonight at Wrigley Field. Los Angeles and Chicago continue their series, with both teams firmly in the playoff picture.

Don’t wait until first pitch — make your Dodgers vs. Cubs picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.

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