2:20 pm
April 12

Angels @ Cubs

Who will WIN this matchup?

Los Angeles Angels (7-6)

@ Chicago Cubs (4-8)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Skaggs (LAA): 1-1; 2.45 ERA

Hamels (CHC) 1-0; 5.73 ERA

 

Last 10 Games Played:

Los Angeles Angels: 6-4

Chicago Cubs: 3-7

 

Current odds:

Los Angeles Angels: (+160)

Chicago Cubs: (-175)

 

• The Cubs look to build off their first series victory of the season after closing out a three-game set against visiting Pittsburgh on Thursday with a 2-0 triumph. Chicago waited out a rain delay to win the rubber match of the series behind a dominant performance by Jose Quintana, who worked seven innings to preserve a taxed bullpen.

• The Angels ran their winning streak to six games with a 4-2 win over the Brewers on Wednesday despite playing without star center fielder Mike Trout, who sat out due to a right groin strain. After an off-day on Thursday, Trout – who is batting .406 with five home runs and 12 RBIs – hopes to be back in the lineup for the series opener in Chicago. Trout remains out of the line-up for the Angels. 

• After failing to get through five innings in his season debut at Oakland, Skaggs was strong last time out against Texas. The 27-year-old limited the Rangers to one run and five hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking one. Skaggs faced the Cubs in 2013 but will pitch at Wrigley Field for the first time in his career.

• Hamels had a tough time in his first outing of the season at Texas but bounced back with a quality start at Milwaukee on Saturday. The 35-year-old held the Brewers’ potent offense to two runs and six hits while registering five strikeouts over six innings en route to his first win of 2019. Hamels is 4-2 with a 2.80 ERA in 11 career starts against the Angels.

• After a 4-for-24 start, Angels SS Andrelton Simmons is 7-for-23 with two doubles and a homer during a five-game hitting streak.

• Cubs C Victor Caratini, who went 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI, left Thursday’s game with a left hand injury – which the club fears is a fractured hamate bone.

• The Angels’ bullpen has posted a collective 1.67 ERA, the best in the majors.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Chicago Cubs
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