The much anticipated season for the Chicago Cubs gets underway with a visit to Anaheim. The progress they made in their first season under Joe Maddon was astonishing and it would be hard to expect another 24-game improvement. But the Cubbies are everyone’s favorite to end their 107-year World Series drought.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The Cubs failings are almost as much myth as reality. What nobody knows is when the Cubs finally again will win the World Series. There is reason to believe it could be this season after their rapid progression in 2015 took them to the NLCS. Now the north siders at +567 are the overwhelming favorite to end their 107-year drought. The Cubs had the third best record in baseball last season behind NL Central foes St. Louis and Pittsburgh with 97 wins. If the Cubbies can escape the best division in baseball, they may be on their way to their first World Series in 70 years with a chance to win it for the first time since 1908.
Passing on big name free agents who would have helped the Angels’ 20th-ranked scoring offense from last season, it appears the window is closing on the Halos, and they could be the odd team out in a crowded AL West. Oddsmakers took notice also, placing them ahead of only the Athletics as a favorite in the division. Los Angeles has a solid pitching staff and manager Mike Scioscia will lean heavily on those arms with runs likely at a premium again.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Jake Arrieta delivered a breakout 2015 campaign with a 22-6 record, 1.77 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over 33 starts and 229 innings to take home the NL Cy Young Award. His performance last season earned him his second Opening Day start and first with the Cubs.
The 30-year-old righthander dealt with a blister on his right thumb last week, but tossed 102 pitches in his final spring start and declared himself ready for the opener.
Garrett Richards has blossomed into the Angels top pitcher and received his first Opening Day assignment. He went 15-12 with a 3.65 ERA last season, striking out 176 batters across 207.1 innings. It was a stellar campaign after sustaining a serious knee injury toward the end of the 2014 season.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“There’s growth in understanding. Last spring was a rehab spring, to come back and show he can pitch. This spring was to get to the next level.” – Angels manager Mike Scioscia on starter Garrett Richards.
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
Several bullpen meltdowns last season probably cost the Cubs a shot at winning the division. And while they shored up the outfield and rotation with free agent signings, the pen has the usual suspects. Hector Rondón enters the season as the closer after a solid campaign of 30 saves. But he was never firmly planted as the ninth inning guy and was removed from the role for a time. He did lose four games and blew four save chances. Pedro Strop was auditioned for the role and he failed forcing the Cubs to bring in aging veterans Fernando Rodney and Rafael Soriano to try and plug the gap. There remains question marks in the back end of Chicago’s pen and if not answered the lofty expectations will have a difficult time being reached.
PROP TALK
The Angels have arguably the best player in baseball on their roster and the legend of Mike Trout continues to grow. He’s the biggest reason that a team with an otherwise so-so lineup can compete in the AL West. Trout is indispensible and a breathtaking player to watch – at bat, in the field, on the bases – and if you look at any offensive category, he’s capable of leading the league.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
There will be no shortage of star power on the field in Anaheim when the season kicks off. The Cubs lineup poses a serious threat with accomplished table-setters in Dexter Fowler and Ben Zobrist, plus a wealth of young power with Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber. Throw in well-rounded hitters Jason Heyward and Miguel Montero, there’s a conversation to be had about the Cubs passing Toronto as the best overall lineup in the game. The Angels needed some help for the trio of Trout, Albert Pujols and Kole Calhoun and didn’t get it during the offseason. Arrieta can pitch around those guys and nail down a win by shutting down the rest of the lineup. And he’s more than capable.
Chicago 5, Los Angeles 2
The MLB lines for this contest will first be released by BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The ballgame pitting the Chicago Cubs versus the Los Angeles Angels will commence Monday, April 4, 2016, at 10:05 p.m. ET at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The matchup will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
