Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Angels Predictions, Picks and MLB Preview – April 4, 2016

No. The Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago Cubs aren’t really playing on Opening Day. That’s just their last Spring Training game before the start of the season. Their season opener will be a day after, on Monday also in Anaheim.

This game will be very interesting to follow. You have two stellar pitchers, Garret Richard and Jake Arrieta duelling it out in Anaheim. But you also have two of the best batting lineups in the majors trying to get off as many runs as they can.

It’s gonna be an exciting MLB season. Don’t miss out Opening Day with our complete previews for the Blue Jays vs. Rays and Mets vs. Royals.

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Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Angels Preview

Where: Angel Stadium, Anaheim

When: Monday, April 4, 10:00 PM ET

Line: Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Angels – view all MLB lines

Betting on the Chicago Cubs (0-0)

Jake Arrieta had a historic season in 2015. He went a stellar 8-0 with a 0.27 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 73:7 K:BB ratio in his last nine starts of the regular season. He was first in the NL in wins (22) and his 1.77 ERA was second in the league. Arrieta won the NL Cy Young Award, but there are plenty of questions heading into 2016 following his big season.

Chicago’s ace has been hampered by injuries in the past. His 229 innings pitched last season were far and away the most he’s ever thrown. Arrieta may not be as good as he was last year, which could cause some concern against the Angels’ heavy hitters.

Nevertheless, Arrieta should still be pretty solid considering his major improvement since the last time he met the Angels. He lost his two starts against the Los Angeles while with Baltimore in 2012, surrendering a total of 11 earned runs.

Arrieta may rest assured that the Cubs will give him the necessary run support. Chicago has firepower from the trio of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Kyle Scharber, which combined for 73 homers last season.

Chicago also has some new key players in the likes of Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist. The two are solid batters with Heyward batting .293 and Zobrist .276 last season. Zobrist was especially potent against the Angels last season, hitting .368 with a homer, five RBIs and seven walks. The two also greatly improve the Cubs’ defense with Heyward at right field and Zobrist on second base.

The Cubs have won three of their last four trips to Angel Stadium.

Betting on the Los Angeles Angels (0-0)

Garret Richards was coming off a breakout season in 2014. But he stunk a year after he suffered a devastating ACL injury. He finished 2014 going 13-4 with a 2.61 ERA. He took a step back and went 15-12 with a 3.65 ERA last season.

Richards was especially bad on the road last year. He made 15 starts, going 5-8 with a 4.58 ERA. He allowed opponents to hit .273 and had just 72 strikeouts. The Angels ace may have a rough outing, considering he faces on of the best batting teams in the NL on Opening Day.

Nevertheless, the Angels still have an excellent batting lineup to get them out of tight spots. They have Mike Trout, a former AL MVP, and Albert Pujols. The two will be serious threats to any pitcher on the mound, combining for 81 homers and 185 RBIs last year.

It’s not all about Trout and Pujols for the Angels. They’ll have Kole Calhoun and CJ Cron continuing to improve to make Los Angeles lethal at the plate. The two combined for 134 RBIs last season. .

The Angels have won four of their last six games on the road.

Writer’s Prediction

The Angels take advantage of an off day for the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner.

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