Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview, Monday 6/22, 7:05 CT

This series will be a good test for the Cubs, as they take on a first-place team in the Dodgers. LA has had its ups and downs this year, and just got finished demolishing the Giants Sunday night -- after losing the first three games of that series. Overall the Dodgers have lost six of their last nine, so maybe this is a good time to take advantage.

ICYMI, there's more on the Dodgers in the series preview published earlier this afternoon.

And guess what? There are storms in the forecast. Again.

Here is your once-a-series reminder about SB Nation's partner daily fantasy game, FanDuel. If you want to participate, here's the link.

Here are today's particulars.

Cubs lineup:

Fowler CF, Rizzo 1B, Bryant 3B, Castro SS, Denorfia RF, Szczur LF, Ross C, Wada P, Russell 2B

Here is tonight's #Cubs lineup for your #analysis. Game preview: http://t.co/rf40ODO3fM #LetsGo pic.twitter.com/LpeNfwUUQT

— #VoteCubs (@Cubs) June 22, 2015

Dodgers lineup:

Puig RF, Pederson CF, Turner 3B, Gonzalez 1B, Kendrick 2B, Van Slyke LF, Hernandez SS, Ellis C, Kershaw P

Today's Starting Pitchers

Tsuyoshi Wada Cubs vs. Clayton Kershaw Dodgers vs. LA -- vs. Cubs

After getting off to a rough start, Clayton Kershaw has a 1.95 ERA and 0.795 WHIP in four starts so far in June. He has struck out 10 or more in each of his last three starts and 39 overall in the four June outings.

This might strike fear into you, but have a look at this boxscore. It's from Kershaw's last appearance at Wrigley, September 19, 2014. The Cubs hit him pretty hard that afternoon, though he struck out nine. The Cubs are 5-4 against lefthanded starters so far this year.

Tsuyoshi Wada had the best start of his 19-start big-league career in his last outing, June 17 at Cleveland. He threw seven shutout innings and allowed just four singles and two walks. In two starts against the Dodgers last year he threw 10⅔ innings, allowed three earned runs and struck out 11.

So maybe this isn't as much of a mismatch as you might think.

Today's game is on WGN. For coverage info in other Midwest markets click here (link opens .pdf).

Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

SB Nation game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Dodgers site True Blue LA. If you do go there to interact with Dodgers fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2015 Game Thread procedure has changed a bit. Here's how it will work going forward.

You'll find the game preview posted separately on the front page, two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream™ containing the preview will also post on the front page. The First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads will be published in that stream, as well as the recap. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post, and at the time I write the recap I will rename the stream "Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads" so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.

You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread, all the overflow threads and recap in the box marked "Chicago Cubs Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in this section link). They will also appear in the game's StoryStream™ as noted above.

The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at one hour, two hours and 2:45 after the scheduled game time.

Discuss amongst yourselves.