Will Pujols make the difference vs. Cubs?
It didn’t take long for the Cubs to unleash the offensive corps that had everyone enthralled throughout the winter.
Behind three-RBI performances from both Miguel Montero and Matt Szczur, Chicago smoked the Angels in Monday’s opener. Dexter Fowler also had three hits in the 9-0 victory, with reigning Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta doing his usual thing on the mound.
The task of cooling those bats this evening falls to Andrew Heaney. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI don’t like the young lefty’s chances, though, installing Los Angeles as a 1.5-run underdog. The over/under run total sits at 7.5.
Last night, big boppers Mike Trout and Albert Pujols failed manager Mike Scoscia. While unable to crack Arrieta, though, they could be primed to bust out vs. Cubs starter Jon Lester. Pujols particularly enjoys encountering the veteran southpaw. The first baseman is 5 for 12 with two lifetimes doubles against him.
During spring training, Lester appeared to be a different hurler than the one whose debut season with the Cubs failed to live up to mammoth expectations. He surrendered one run in his final 15 innings of exhibition play, allowing a solitary hit and one walk while striking out over the weekend against Colorado.
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On the other side, Heaney comes off a campaign in which he went 6-4 with a 3.49 ERA. The Halos are searching for another arm to step up behind Garrett Richards in the rotation, and the 24-year-old seems to fit the profile. He’s never faced the Cubbies or any of their current hitters, either, which should make for an interesting chess match multiple times through the order.
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