Free MLB Picks Today: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs Chicago Cubs 6/7/23

The Los Angeles Angels (32-30) host the Chicago Cubs (26-34) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Wednesday. The Angels took Tuesday’s series opener 7-4.

Starter Tyler Anderson went five innings for the win, giving up four runs on five hits and striking out five, and Carlos Estevez picked up his 15th save with a scoreless ninth.

Shohei Ohtani’s on-base streak reached 10 games as he went 1 for 2 with a home run and two runs, walking twice, in the win. Seiya Suzuki was 1 for 4 with one run for the Cubs.

ON THE MOUND

Jameson Taillon (1-3, 7.05 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Chicago. The RHP allowed one run over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 2-1 road win over the Padres on Friday. He earned the win, yielding three hits while striking out three.

Taillon is making his first appearance against the Angels this season. Over two starts against the Angels in 2022, Taillon was 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA over 10 innings. He had seven strikeouts and no walks. Righty Jaime Barria (2-2, 1.59 ERA) will toe the rubber for Los Angeles.

It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cubs. In his last start on May 31, Barria got the win on the road against the White Sox. He threw five innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out six and walking three in the 12-5 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged only 2.6 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.4, while performing worse across the board (.185/.269/.287). Against right-handed pitchers like Barria this season, the Cubs have a .707 OPS.

Ian Happ is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .839 OPS in 159 at-bats. Los Angeles is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.8 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.254/.323/.402).

The Halos have a .745 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .963 OPS over 175 at-bats, Ohtani has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Chicago is 11-18 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Los Angeles has gone 16-13 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 5.0. In eight meetings at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Chicago is 5-3 with an average scoreline of 6.0-3.9.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Cubs are fourth in the NL Central, six games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Angels are third in the AL West, nine games behind the Rangers.