The Friendly Confines will be rocking this afternoon when the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs meet in the rubber-game of their three-game series.
Angels probable starter Jose Soriano is still trying to find his form after a 21-day stint on the IL, and my best bet and SGP ticket expect the Halos righty to have a less-than-efficient afternoon.
Read on for my Angels vs. Cubs predictions and MLB picks for Sunday, July 7.
Angels vs Cubs prediction
My best bet
Jose Soriano Under 4.5 strikeouts (+122 at FanDuel)
Best odds available in your region
My analysis
The rubber game of the three-game series between the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs should be a tough matchup for Angels’ starter Jose Soriano.
Soriano is making his second start since missing nearly three weeks with a stomach injury. His return start was less than ideal as Soriano surrendered four earned runs with a pair of bombs along with four strikeouts across four stanzas in a 7-5 away loss to Oakland.
The four strikeouts against the A’s are part of an interesting trend for Soriano. Including his time on the farm, Soriano is striking out a shade over nine per nine in his career, but this season he’s only getting a tick over seven per nine.
Part of Soriano’s troubles is a decrease in velocity on all five of his pitches, and that’s been responsible for the reduced strikeouts and the 4.68 walks per nine stanzas.
The Cubs’ sticks were blanked in Game 2. They whiffed a dozen times on Saturday and 18 times in this series. Eighteen strikeouts across 64 at bats is a far higher percentage (35%) than its 23% seasonal rate, which could mean positive regression for the Cubbies.
According to The BAT, Soriano is on a pitch count and he’s up against a Cubs offense looking to light him up early. The Halos righty has a low whiff rate and a high walk rate, and the increasing number of home runs allowed will get him into trouble today. The Cubbies will likely chase Soriano long before he strikes out five batters.
Angels vs Cubs same-game parlay (SGP)
Jose Soriano Under 4.5 strikeouts
Jo Adell to get a hit
Cubs moneyline
Our three-leg SGP centers around Soriano not getting the strikeouts, which should lead to a Cubs victory ending Under 9.5 runs.
Angels OF Jo Adell has hit safely in three of his last five. Cubs starter Hayden Wesneski usually has trouble through the first nine hitters he faces and has served up 24 hits and eight of his 10 home runs allowed across 29 frames against righties.
If Wesneski gets through the first nine he faces, and I believe he will, the Cubs have a great chance to win this game. The Cubbies are 5-5 across their last five at Wrigley meeting an Angels group with a sub. 500 away record.
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 (-164) | Chicago -1.5 (+136)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles +120 | Chicago -142
- Over/Under: Over 9.5 (-102) | Under 9.5 (-122)
Angels vs Cubs spread and Over/Under analysis
- Just 23% of the wagers and 26% of the cash at DraftKings is on the Angels moneyline (+120).
- Cubs moneyline markets (-140) at Caesars report 77% of their bets and 74% of the money on Chicago.
- Over 9 (-110) is the best Over price while Under 9.5 (-110) is on several U.S. betting boards.
Angels vs Cubs trend
Jose Soriano has struck out 5+ in only two of his last five starts. Find more MLB betting trends for Angels vs. Cubs
Angels vs Cubs game info
| Location: | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date: | Sunday, 7-7-2024 |
| First pitch: | 2:20 p.m. ET |
| TV: | BSW, MARQ |
| Angels starting pitcher: | Jose Soriano (4-6, 3.77 ERA) |
| Cubs starting pitcher: | Hayden Wesneski (2-5, 4.14 ERA) |
Angels vs Cubs latest injuries
Angels vs Cubs weather
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