The Chicago Cubs (26-35) and Los Angeles Angels (33-30) put a bow on a 3-game series Thursday. First pitch at Angel Stadium is slated for 9:38 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Angels odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Angels lead 2-0
The Cubs lost 6-2 on Wednesday and have been held to 2 runs or less in 6 of their last 9 games. Chicago has logged a whiff-heavy .532 OPS over those 9 games.
Los Angeles has won 3 straight games on the heels of losing 3 in a row June 1-3. The Halos are 6-3 with a 2.52 ERA over their last 9 home games.
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Cubs at Angels projected starters
LHP Drew Smyly vs. LHP Reid Detmers
Smyly (5-3, 3.56 ERA) makes his 13th start. He has a 1.11 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 65 2/3 innings.
- Has failed to go 6 innings in each of his last 3 starts (5.87 ERA, 1.63 WHIP)
- Facing a Los Angeles club that owns a .796 OPS against left-handers
- Owns a 4.07 ERA over 251 career games
Detmers (0-5, 5.15 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has registered a 1.54 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9 in 50 2/3 innings.
- Has been dinged by a .377 batting average on balls in play and a 63.5% left-on-base rate
- Faces a Cubs order that has been tough on lefty pitching: Chicago owns a .791 OPS against southpaws
Cubs at Angels odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Cubs +116 (bet $100 to win $116) | Angels -136 (bet $136 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-172) | Angels -1.5 (+142)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Cubs at Angels picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 6, Angels 5
Moneyline
Chicago has underplayed its analytic numbers in expected run creation and runs allowed. The Cubs have been hurt by a 5-11 mark in 1-run games. Chicago has played the tougher schedule to date and is a club with more value in the near term. The Cubs will likely been a green check for some smart baseball bettors in upcoming weeks.
But that lean is dependent on how starting pitching lays out each game. In this contest, results vs. expectations make for a play lean toward Los Angeles and a fade lean on the Cubs in that starter match-up.
Overlay that and the team leverage and AVOID the sides for this game.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS. This game has a likable Over. Even if the Angels were a preferable side, the price on their winning by 2 in a loose game is not attractive.
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Over/Under
Both starters are fly-ball pitchers (the Angels’ ‘pen is also), and the weather forecast calls for a significant outward breeze. Both clubs fly-ball types hard; both are better-than-average against lefty pitching. Bet the OVER 9 (-115).
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