The MLB season is beginning to enter the serious section of the campaign and two of the teams struggling across the leaguewill go head-to-head in the first of a three-game run.
The Los Angeles Angels are currently sitting in fourth place in the American League West with a record of 36-50 to date, while the Chicago Cubs sit bottom in the National League Central with a 40-48 record.
They’ll go head-to-head to try and improve their position and we’ll compare the teams to provide you with our best free MLB betting picks to try and earn you some extra cash in the process.
| MLB |  |
 |
 |
| Chicago Cubs | -198 | -200 | -196 |
| Los Angeles Angels | +180 | +170 | +161 |
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Los Angeles Angels vs Chicago Cubs information
- Date: Friday, July 5, 2024
- Time: 14:20 ET
- Location: Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois
- TV: Bally Sports SoCal
Los Angeles Angels season so far
Los Angeles have had a really poor season so far and they will not be looking forward to this run of games over the coming days and weeks.
They started their season with back-to-back defeats to the Baltimore Orioles before four wins on the bounce. That was followed up however by a shocking run of just seven wins in their next 24 games to see them end the month with a poor record of 11-19.
In May things didn’t get much better for the Angels, starting off with four defeats in five with the only victory coming against the Cleveland Guardians. After that they claimed consecutive wins over the Pittsburgh Pirates, before once again falling to a run of five defeats in six. The Angels got some form back with six wins in their next nine, beating the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros twice each, before ending the month with six defeats in seven to end with an overall record of 21-36.
The form picked up in June however as they earned their first winning record for a calendar month of the season, picking up 15 wins. They beat the Padres in three straight games and then managed to end the month with a run of six consecutive victories in their final seven games.
After losing their first three games in July, they come into this game with an overall record of 36-50.
Check out our review for BetOnline sports betting here.
Chicago Cubs season so far
Chicago’s season started with two straight defeats against the Rangers before they turned things around and went on a run of five straight wins, including three consecutive victories over the Colorado Rockies. They then traded wins and defeats with the Los Angeles Dodges and the Padres before going on a run of 10 wins in 13 games. The Cubs finished the month with three defeats in four though for an overall record of 18-12.
That would be the last time they had a winning record over a calendar month however, as May was far less kind to them. They went 6-8 over the first 14 games, alternating wins and losses barring consecutive defeats to the Mets and Brewers. They ended the month however with eight defeats in nine games to give them a record of 28-30.
June was just as brutal as they went 11-16 in the month, only managing to win back-to-back games twice over the course of the period. They lost three games in a row on two occasions and lost consecutive games twice more than that also. They then lose their first two games of July before a 10-2 win over the Phillies, and come into this game with an overall record of 40-48.
MLB Picks: Back Chicago Cubs to win
These teams are both near the bottom of their division, but one team is coming in with more momentum, and the pitcher with the better ERA which means they have the better chance of success.
The Angels just lost three straight games against the Oakland Athletics, who are unquestionably one of the worst teams in the MLB. Los Angeles never fully recovered from the Mike Trout injury and in trying to use Taylor Ward as his replacement they have discovered many of his flaws. He’s good, but he’s got a long way to go before he finds himself in Hall of Fame contention.
On the other hand, the Cubs just took on the best team in the NL in the Phillies and while they lost the series, they were able to dominate the last game winning 10-2.
Justin Steele is expected to be the starter for Chicago. He has a 3.20 ERA while pitching at least six innings in each of his last five games without allowing more than three runs in any of those games.
There’s not much between these sides because they’re both struggling and unpredictable, but the numbers and form make it clear that backing the Cubs for victory is the play that makes the most sense here.
At -196 there’s decent value in it too, so take Chicago to win.
Check out our review for Bovada sports betting here.
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