Dodgers Probable Pitchers & Starting Lineup vs. Cubs, April 14

Cody Bellinger's "long"-awaited return comes Friday night at Dodger Stadium, as the Dodgers prepare to take on the Chicago Cubs in a three-game weekend set.

Belli's presence will no doubt have the fans buzzing, but the question remains: Will they be buzzing with joy after watching a clutch strikeout, or buzzing with fury after absorbing one of his still-trademark dingers?

Entering this three-game set, the Dodgers are 7-6, and are stuck behind the pesky Diamondbacks in the NL West, sitting percentage points ahead of the Padres after San Diego's late night loss to Milwaukee on Thursday.

Will Max Muncy be able to recapture the form he discovered this week against the Giants, or was that a Bay Area exclusive? Will the Dodgers be able to solve their Chris Taylor problem, despite ongoing depth issues that keep pushing him into the lineup? And will James Outman be able to show off in front of his center field predecessor?

Dodgers lineup for Friday, April 14 vs Cubs

1. Mookie Betts, RF
2. Freddie Freeman, 1B
3. J.D. Martinez, DH
4. Max Muncy, 3B
5. Trayce Thompson, CF
6. Miguel Vargas, 2B
7. Miguel Rojas, SS
8. Chris Taylor, LF
9. Austin Barnes, C

Dodgers Pitching Probables for Friday, April 14 vs Cubs

Noah Syndergaard will continue to explore his mixed-bag start on Friday night, and the Dodgers will be hoping he looks far more like he did in his first outing of the season. Can Thor survive with lowered velocity, the way he did against the Diamondbacks at home? Or will his outing more closely resemble what happened when he was forced to tame the Snakes for a second time on the road, when he allowed eight hits, six earned runs and two homers in four innings (while drilling two batters)?

He'll be facing off against Cubs left-hander Justin Steele, who's posted an 0.75 ERA through two starts, and appears to be on an upward trajectory.