MLB Picks: Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago Cubs

The Los Angeles Angels (43-45) and Chicago Cubs (39-48) will open up a two-game interleague series Tuesday night at Wrigley Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET

Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago Cubs

The Los Angeles Angels have won eight of their last 10 games

Los Angeles has won eight of its last 10 games, including a 3-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox as -131 home favorites Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total of 8. The Angels are now two games under .500 for the first time since April 7. “It was only a matter of time before all this talent came together,” commented Angels pitcher Jered Weaver. The club has won six of its last seven series, as it prepares to face one of the worst teams in the National League. Los Angeles is 3-5 on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 this season, with the UNDER going 6-2 in that situation.

Angels starting pitcher Joe Blanton (2-10, 5.14 ERA) has led the club to back-to-back victories, but he didn’t earn a decision in a 6-5 home win over the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing five runs (four earned) and nine hits over 5.2 frames. The right-hander is 2-6 with a 5.10 ERA in eight road games, with opposing hitters batting .293 against him. In six career games versus the Cubs, Blanton has compiled a 1-0 record and 2.93 ERA.

Chicago has won three games in a row, including an 8-2 road victory over the Chicago White Sox as +106 road underdogs Monday, while going OVER the betting total of 8. The Cubs have been getting tremendous production out of outfielder Alfonso Soriano recently, as he’s batting .381 over his last 10 games. The club is 12-6 overall against AL opponents during the 2013 campaign. Chicago is 8-13 as home underdogs of +100 to +125 this season, with the OVER going 11-9-1 in that situation.

Cubs starting pitcher Travis Wood (5-6, 2.69 ERA) has watched the team drop his last six efforts, as the offense has scored just 10 runs over that span. The left-hander is 3-4 with a 2.55 ERA in 10 home starts, with opposing hitters batting just .196 against him. Wood will be facing the Angels for the first time in his career.