The Chicago Cubs welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to Wrigley Field on Tuesday, August 4, with first pitch set for 8:05 PM ET. Javier Assad gets the ball for Chicago against Tarik Skubal in what shapes up as a compelling pitching matchup between two organizations with deep 2026 playoff aspirations. This is a marquee regular-season contest — the kind of mid-August home game that can sharpen a team's identity heading into the stretch run. Catch the action on Marquee Sports Network locally or TBS for the national broadcast.
Pitching Matchup: Assad vs. Skubal at Wrigley Field
Javier Assad draws the start for the Cubs, taking the mound at Clark and Addison in one of the year's bigger home assignments. Assad has carved out a role in Chicago's rotation as a right-hander capable of keeping lineups off-balance with a varied pitch mix. Facing a Dodgers lineup that consistently ranks among the most dangerous in the National League, Assad will need to be sharp from the first inning. Command and pitch sequencing will be the story to watch with him on the bump.
Opposing him is Tarik Skubal, the left-hander who has established himself as one of the more formidable arms in the American League. Skubal, acquired or now pitching for Los Angeles in this 2026 matchup, brings a high-strikeout, ground-ball profile that can stifle even disciplined offenses. The Cubs' lineup will need to work counts and find ways on base early — letting Skubal dictate the pace is a recipe for a long night at the plate.
Keys to Watch for the Cubs
- Assad's command in the early innings: Falling behind hitters against a lineup as deep as Los Angeles can cascade quickly. Assad's ability to throw strikes with his secondary pitches sets the tone for how deep he can go.
- Scoring against Skubal: The Cubs need to manufacture runs rather than wait for the big inning. Hit-and-run, stolen bases, and moving runners over will matter more than usual against a pitcher of Skubal's caliber.
- Bullpen depth: If Assad exits before the seventh, the Cubs' relief corps faces a stern test against a Dodgers lineup that does not let up. Middle-inning management by the coaching staff could be decisive.
- Home crowd energy: Wrigley Field in August is one of baseball's great stages. A loud ballpark can provide a genuine lift for Chicago's hitters, particularly in close, late-game situations.
Prediction
This is exactly the kind of game that defines whether the Cubs belong in the same conversation as the Dodgers this season. Skubal is a tough draw — there is no dressing that up — and Assad will need to match him pitch for pitch to keep Chicago in it. Look for a low-scoring, tense affair that likely comes down to a bullpen decision or a two-out hit in the sixth or seventh. The edge goes to Los Angeles on the mound, but Wrigley Field has a way of evening things out. Cubs 3, Dodgers 2, in a game that goes down to the final out.
