There is nothing better than afternoon baseball at the Friendly Confines, and today’s Game 1 of a three-game interleague series between the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs is the start to the weekend we need.
The Cubs are listed as heavy favorites, and my best bet and SGP ticket are centered around the pitching matchup between Halos righty Griffin Canning and Cubbies starter Justin Steele.
Read on for my Angels vs. Cubs predictions and MLB picks for Friday, July 5.
Angels vs Cubs prediction
My best bet
Cubs -1.5 (+100 at DraftKings)
My analysis
The Los Angeles Angels have seen better days. They arrive in the Windy City after suffering a three-game series sweep at Oakland and have dropped four of their last five away tilts.
The Angels plan to start righty Griffin Canning, and he’s had a rough season. The 28-year-old righty has been slightly better at home but is 0-6 across seven away starts.
Canning’s problems stem from a weakening fastball. He’s had trouble getting outs against anyone this season, but lefty sticks have dinged him the most (1.91 home runs per nine), which could be dangerous with Wrigley winds blowing out to right field this afternoon.
The Chicago Cubs offense has been hit or miss this season, but they should be able to get something going against Canning. They scored 17 runs against Philadelphia in a three-game home series and plated 10 on Thursday afternoon. Canning serves up a tick over three walks per game and won’t blow the Cubbies away today.
Chicago won’t need many runs with lefty Justin Steele on the hill. Steele has allowed nine earned runs across his last six starts and 10 in five home starts. He’ll get the punchouts (9.0 per nine) without the walks (2.0) and keep the ball in the yard with only three bombs allowed across 21 1/3 home frames.
Steele should quiet the Halos bats and Canning is going to struggle getting outs. The wind blowing out to right on a hot day won’t be good for Canning. The walks and the longball will be Canning’s undoing, Steele will be sensational, and the Cubs open the series with a solid victory.
Angels vs Cubs same-game parlay (SGP)
Cubs -1.5
Justin Steele Over 5.5 strikeouts
Griffin Canning Over 1.5 walks
The Cubs convincingly winning this game is my best bet, but I also like the Steele Over 5.5 strikeouts and Canning Over 1.5 walks props for this three-legger.
Steele has struck out 6+ in three of his last six starts and meets an Angels offense with a 21% strikeout rate against southpaws and 24 whiffs across their last three away matchups.
Canning sometimes has command issues. He’s walked two or more in three of his last six starts and meets a Cubs offense with the third-best walk rate against righthanders (9.8%) which spikes slightly to 9.9% at Wrigley.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Angels vs Cubs odds
Angels vs Cubs live odds
Angels vs Cubs opening odds
- Run line: Los Angeles +1.5 (-115) | Chicago -1.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles +155 | Chicago -190
- Over/Under: Over 10 (-115) | Under 10 (-105)
Angels vs Cubs spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Angels opened as low as +154 but money came in on the Cubs. Angels markets are now offering +155 to +170.
- Chicago opened -184 and those markets spiked to as high as -205 with 91% of the wagers and 94% of the cash at FanDuel on the Cubs.
- Over/Under markets have 10.5 runs on the board. Over markets are trading from -102 to -105 while Under markets are priced at -115 to -120.
Angels vs Cubs trend
The Angels have only hit the F5 moneyline in 25 of their last 80 games (-20.65 Units / -24% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Angels vs. Cubs.
Angels vs Cubs game info
| Location: | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date: | Friday, 7-5-2024 |
| First pitch: | 2:20 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports West, Marquee |
| Angels starting pitcher: | Griffin Canning (2-8, 4.71 ERA) |
| Cubs starting pitcher: | Justin Steele (0-3, 3.20 ERA) |
Angels vs Cubs latest injuries
Angels vs Cubs weather
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