Can Angels crack Arrieta, Cubs?
Following an offseason with no shortage of championship hype, the Cubs finally get back to work on exorcising sports’ most recognizable curse tonight.
Chicago begins a two-game interleague series against MVP Mike Trout and the Angels at 10:05 p.m. ET. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv like Joe Maddon’s club as a 1.5-run favorite, with the over/under total at 7.
Having just missed out on a World Series appearance last year, the Cubbies represent the fashionable pick to claim the Fall Classic this time around. Winter additions such as Jason Heyward, John Lackey and Ben Zobrist now complement a star core of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and others.
Tonight’s starter, of course, is as vital to the organization’s hopes as anyone. Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, who battled blister issues throughout spring training, has officially moved to the head of a rotation that still features Jon Lester, Lackey, Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks. The veteran righty went 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in 2015.
He’ll be opposed by Clayton Richards, who has usurped longtime Los Angeles ace Jeff Weaver. The southpaw boasts 28 victories over the last two seasons. Some of his new teammates include shortstop Andrelton Simmons, third baseman Yunel Escobar and left fielder Daniel Nava.
Nonetheless, Trout and Albert Pujols remain the catalysts for Mike Scoscia. The problem is that neither one has much familiarity with Arrieta, with Trout possessing the lone hit in five combined at-bats between the two. Chicago’s new workhorse should therefore be able to get his squad’s title quest off to a positive start.
MONDAY MLB FREE PICK: CUBS -1.5
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