Cubs @ Dodgers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Chicago Cubs (38-29)

@ Los Angeles Dodgers (45-23)

Starting Pitchers:

Lester (CHC): 5-4; 3.56 ERA

Kershaw (LAD) 5-1; 3.00 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Chicago Cubs: 7-3

Los Angeles Dodgers: 6-4

Current odds:

Chicago Cubs: (+160)

Los Angeles Dodgers: (-175)

• The Los Angeles Dodgers have sputtered while losing four of their last six games and could be without a key player when they open a 11-game homestand Thursday night against the Chicago Cubs. The National League-best Dodgers were swept by the Los Angeles Angels in a two-game interleague series to start the week and shortstop Corey Seager suffered a hamstring injury Tuesday that could force him to miss some time. “Obviously, it’s very unfortunate, with the way he’s been playing and what he means to our ballclub,” Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts told reporters of Seager, who is riding a nine-game hitting streak in which he is 17-for-37. Three-time NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw looks to help the Dodgers snap out of their funk when he gets the ball for the opener of a four-game set and the Cubs counter with fellow veteran lefty Jon Lester, who gave up one run over five innings in a 2-1 loss to Los Angeles on April 25.

• Chicago, which dropped two of three against the Dodgers from April 23-25 at home, salvaged the finale of a three-game series at Colorado with a 10-1 victory Wednesday. Kyle Schwarber belted a three-run homer and added a sacrifice fly as the Cubs won for the seventh time in 10 games and newly signed Carlos Gonzalez had two hits for the second time in three contests.

• Lester has won his first two starts of June after ending May with a three-game losing streak in which he allowed 19 runs over 14 innings. The 35-year-old, who boasts 182 career victories, allowed five runs on nine hits across 13 innings with 12 strikeouts and three walks in those last two victorious outings. Cody Bellinger is 4-for-7 with a homer versus Lester, who is 4-4 with a 3.22 ERA in 10 career games against the Dodgers.

• Kershaw suffered his first loss of the season Friday despite permitting two runs on six hits over seven innings against rival San Francisco. The 31-year-old Texan has posted quality starts in nine of his 10 outings this season, including June 1 when he limited Philadelphia to one unearned run over seven frames. Anthony Rizzo is 6-for-16 with two homers against Kershaw, who is 5-3 with a 2.57 ERA in 10 career starts versus the Cubs.

• Chicago INF Javier Baez launched his 98th career homer Wednesday and pulled within one of 300 runs in his career.

• Los Angeles 3B Justin Turner is 8-for-18 during a five-game hitting streak to raise his batting average to .315.

• Cubs INF-OF Kris Bryant (ankle) was held out of Wednesday’s game, but is expected back in the lineup Thursday.