The Los Angeles Dodgers head to Wrigley Field on Wednesday, August 5, for a 2:20 PM ET matinee against the Chicago Cubs. Eric Lauer gets the ball for Los Angeles against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga. This is a mid-week road matchup during what figures to be a pivotal stretch of the 2026 regular season, and with a lineup that includes Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Kyle Tucker near the top of the order, the Dodgers carry genuine offensive firepower into one of baseball's most iconic ballparks.

Dodgers vs. Cubs Starting Pitchers: Lauer vs. Imanaga

Imanaga is the clear headliner in this pitching matchup. The Cubs left-hander has established himself as one of the more difficult arms in the National League, featuring a deceptive delivery and sharp command that gives hitters fits, particularly when he locates his slider. The Dodgers will need to work counts and stay disciplined against him — swinging early against Imanaga is a losing strategy.

Lauer draws the assignment on the road against a capable Cubs lineup. He'll need to keep the ball down and minimize the damage when Cubs hitters make contact at Wrigley, where the wind and conditions can turn manageable fly balls into problems quickly. How Lauer navigates the middle of Chicago's order — particularly Alex Bregman hitting third and Seiya Suzuki at two — will shape the early innings significantly.

Dodgers Starting Lineup at Wrigley Field

• 1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
• 2. Andy Pages, CF
• 3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
• 4. Tommy Edman, LF
• 5. Kyle Tucker, RF
• 6. Mookie Betts, SS
• 7. Max Muncy, 3B
• 8. Miguel Rojas, 2B
• 9. Hunter Feduccia, C

Cubs Starting Lineup

• 1. Pete Crow-Armstrong, DH
• 2. Seiya Suzuki, RF
• 3. Alex Bregman, 3B
• 4. Carson Kelly, C
• 5. Michael Busch, 1B
• 6. Nico Hoerner, 2B
• 7. Ian Happ, LF
• 8. Dansby Swanson, SS
• 9. Tyrone Taylor, CF

Keys to Watch for the Dodgers

Can the Dodgers Offense Crack Imanaga?

Ohtani leading off gives the Dodgers an immediate weapon, and if he reaches base, the heart of the order — Freeman, Edman, Tucker — has a chance to do real damage early. Tucker slotting fifth gives this lineup an unusual depth of threat. The Cubs will pitch carefully to Freeman, which means Edman and Tucker need to punish anything in the zone when they get their opportunities. Mookie Betts batting sixth adds another dimension; no part of this order is a true rest spot for Imanaga.

Lauer's Command Against a Patient Cubs Lineup

The Cubs don't put together a passive group of hitters. Hoerner and Swanson can grind at-bats, and Crow-Armstrong at the top of the order is a legitimate threat. Lauer will need to stay ahead in counts and keep Chicago off the bases. A crooked number against him early in a day game at Wrigley can snowball fast.

Bullpen Management on the Road

If Lauer doesn't go deep into the game, the Dodgers' bullpen will be called upon in an environment that favors offense. Protecting leads — or mounting comebacks — will depend on how Dave Roberts deploys his relief options on the road in a potentially high-leverage afternoon situation.

Prediction

Imanaga is the best pitcher on the field Wednesday, and the Cubs have a balanced lineup capable of making Lauer work. But this Dodgers offense is deep enough that one big inning can change the complexion of any game. Expect a tight, low-scoring contest that comes down to the bullpens. The Dodgers have the lineup to steal this one on the road, but they'll need a disciplined, patient approach against Imanaga to make it happen. Dodgers 4, Cubs 3.