Los Angeles Angels vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Prediction for Tuesday March 31 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 03/31/2026, 01:15 AM ET
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The Los Angeles Angels travel to take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM on March 31, 2026. The game will be broadcast on MLB.TV. The Cubs enter this matchup as the favorite with a moneyline listed around -149, while the Angels come in at +123. The total is set at 7 runs. As you get ready for this interleague matchup, be sure to check out the latest insights and trends with free MLB picks.

Starting Pitching Matchup

The starting pitching matchup features Jose Soriano for the Angels and Jameson Taillon for the Cubs. Jose Soriano has already made an early-season appearance, posting a 1-0 record with a 0.00 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and 7 strikeouts across 6.0 innings while allowing just two hits and no runs. On the other side, Jameson Taillon enters after a 2025 season where he recorded an 11-7 record with a 3.68 ERA, 98 strikeouts, and a 1.06 WHIP, reflecting steady performance and solid control throughout the year.

Angels Trying to Find Stability on the Road

The Los Angeles Angels come into this game with a 2-3 overall record and a 2-3 mark on the road. Over their last five games, they have struggled to maintain momentum, recently losing to Chicago and Houston multiple times while picking up two wins earlier in that stretch. Their most recent performance resulted in a 7-2 loss to the Cubs, showing some of the challenges they have faced against this opponent.

From a statistical standpoint, the Angels are hitting .244 as a team with 25 runs on 33 hits, including 9 home runs. They have posted a .386 on-base percentage and a .474 slugging percentage. On the pitching side, they have a 3.44 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP while allowing opponents to hit .231. They have recorded 37 strikeouts and issued 23 walks, indicating a mix of strikeout ability and control issues.

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A notable aspect of the Angelsโ€™ profile is their offensive production. A .386 on-base percentage and .474 slugging percentage highlight their ability to get on base and generate power. However, the high WHIP of 1.59 suggests that their pitching staff has allowed frequent baserunners, which can offset their offensive output.

Cubs Looking to Build Consistency at Home

The Chicago Cubs enter this matchup with a 2-2 overall record and a 2-2 record at home. Over their last five games, they have shown mixed results, recently winning over the Angels and Washington while also dropping games to Washington and New York. Their most recent win against the Angels demonstrated their ability to control the game on both sides.

Chicago is hitting .210 as a team with 17 runs on 21 hits, including 5 home runs. They have posted a .304 on-base percentage and a .390 slugging percentage. On the pitching side, the Cubs have struggled somewhat with a 5.33 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP while allowing opponents to hit .260. They have recorded 27 strikeouts and issued 9 walks, showing decent control despite the higher ERA.

One of the key concerns for Chicago is their pitching consistency. A 5.33 ERA indicates that they have allowed runs at a higher rate, even though their WHIP of 1.30 suggests they are not allowing an excessive number of baserunners. This discrepancy highlights that when opponents do get on base, they have been able to capitalize.

Los Angeles Angels vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Prediction

Los Angeles Angels vs Chicago Cubs Pick

Pick: Los Angeles Angels Moneyline

The Angels present value in this matchup based on their offensive production and early pitching performance. Their .244 batting average combined with a strong .386 on-base percentage and .474 slugging percentage shows a clear edge over Chicagoโ€™s offensive numbers. Additionally, their starting pitcher has shown early effectiveness with a 0.00 ERA in his first outing. While Chicago has the advantage of playing at home, the Angelsโ€™ ability to generate runs and produce power gives them an opportunity to secure the win.

Los Angeles Angels vs Chicago Cubs Total Pick

Pick: Over 7

Iโ€™m leaning toward the over in this matchup because both teams have shown the ability to score, and Chicagoโ€™s pitching has allowed runs at a higher rate with a 5.33 ERA. The Angelsโ€™ offense, with 9 home runs and a strong slugging percentage, suggests they can contribute significantly to the scoring. Even with solid starting pitching on one side, the overall pitching profiles indicate that runs could add up and push this game over the total.

Final Score Prediction

Los Angeles Angels 5 โ€“ Chicago Cubs 4

This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Monday.

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