Updated:
Mar 31, 2026 , 09:07 AM ET
• 4 min read
Angels starter Jose Soriano will build on his impressive start to the season by mowing down at least five Cubs batters via the strikeout.
EXPERT PICK – PROP
Jose Soriano o4.5 Strikeouts Thrown (-108)
Photo By – Reuters Connect. Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jose Soriano (59) pitches against the Houston Astros
The Los Angeles Angels hope to snap a three-game losing streak when they face the Chicago Cubs tonight at Wrigley Field.
The forecast promises a cold, miserable night, and my Angels vs. Cubs predictions expect LA starter Jose Soriano and his sinker-slider combo to rack up the strikeouts.
Read on for my MLB picks for Tuesday, March 31.
Angels vs Cubs predictions
Angels vs Cubs best bet: Jose Soriano Over 4.5 strikeouts (-108)
Jose Soriano is riding a jaw-dropping 41.3% whiff rate from his 2026 opener, where he struck out seven Astros in six innings of work.
This follows a strong spring where the Los Angeles Angels righty struck out 13 across 11 2/3 and eight punchouts per nine frames in 2025.
The Chicago Cubs lineup presents multiple strikeout candidates, and they’ve struck out in 22% of their 91 plate appearances against right-handed arms in 2026.
Cold, heavy air at Wrigley Field plays right into Soriano’s hard sinker and devastating slider combo. Back him to punch out at least five tonight.
COVERS INTEL: Soriano averaged 3.7 pitches per batter and struck out 8.05 batters per nine in 2025, and seven Astros on Opening Day at Houston.
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Angels vs Cubs same-game parlay (SGP)
Cold weather, limited scoring, and the more reliable arm on the mound sum up this three-leg same-game parlay.
Soriano was excellent on the road last season (8-3), and he just threw six scoreless innings in Houston. His 69.2% ground-ball rate limits damage and keeps traffic off the bases.
Jameson Taillon allowed 26 earned runs across 13 1/3 spring innings, and he’s hard to trust right now. In a game where runs will be scarce, that edge on the mound leans toward the Halos.
Angels vs Cubs SGP
Jose Soriano Over 4.5 strikeouts
Angels moneyline
Under 7.5
Angels vs Cubs home run pick: Mike Trout (+310)
Mike Trout doesn’t need much of an invitation, and Taillon is practically rolling out the red carpet.
Ten home runs and nine walks in just over 13 spring innings tell you that he is a pitcher who can’t find the zone and is getting destroyed when he does.
Trout has already taken Taillon deep, and the Angels slugger launched two bombs on Opening Day at Houston. I’ll back him to crack one tonight.
2026 Transparency record
Best bets: 1-1, -0.2 units
SGPs: 0-2, -2 units
HR picks: 0-2, -2 units
Angels vs Cubs odds
Moneyline: Los Angeles +120 | Chicago -142
Run line: Los Angeles +1.5 (-188) | Chicago -1.5 (+155)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (+116) | Under 7.5 (-142)
Angels vs Cubs trend
The Chicago Cubs have hit the Game Total Under in 64 of their last 117 games (+13.65 Units / 11% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Angels vs. Cubs.
How to watch Angels vs Cubs and game info
Location
Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
First pitch
7:40 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN West, Marquee
Angels starting pitcher
Jose Soriano
(1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Cubs starting pitcher
Jameson Taillon
(2025: 11-7, 3.68 ERA)
Angels vs Cubs latest injuries
Angels vs Cubs weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Prior to joining Covers in 2022, Phil Naessens spent 38 years as a resident tennis pro in Las Vegas, Mykonos, and Corfu, Greece. He’s the past host of the Phil Naessens Show (Armed Forces Radio), and currently hosts the Crush and Rush Tennis Podcast.
Phil is the author of the Betting 101 series (MLB, NFL, NCAAF, and Tennis) and has written for numerous publications, including Advance Local, SB Nation, FanSided, and Lenny Melnick Fantasy Sports.
His favorite sports to bet on are tennis, MLB, WNBA, Euro men’s and women’s hoops, NCAA sports, NFL, and the NBA. Phil has numerous betting accounts in the US and Europe, and his best advice is to line shop for the best value possible.
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