Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Angels – Series Preview (July 5–7): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4
The Cubs (40-48) lost two of three to the Phillies but exploded for 10 runs to salvage the final game of the series on Thursday. The Fourth of July barrage was Chicago’s biggest output in a single game since April 16 and was distinctly different than their offensive production over the last two months. Now they welcome the Angels to Wrigley for a weekend interleague matchup.
Los Angeles (36-50) knew they were entering 2024 without Shohei Ohtani after he departed via free agency for the crosstown Dodgers. Then they were dealt a second blow when superstar Mike Trout tore his meniscus at the end of April, requiring surgery that has him out at least through July. Between those losses and big-money third baseman Anthony Rendon dealing with another significant leg injury, it’s unsurprising the offense has the 17th highest team OPS (.691) in baseball.
The Angels do have a couple of hitters performing well, however. Luis Rengifo has an .800 OPS with 22 stolen bases while playing primarily at third base. Catcher Logan O’Hoppe is having a very nice season with 12 homers and an OPS of .807.
Even when Ohtani and Trout were together and healthy, the pitching staff was a real problem. That has not changed this year, as the Angels’ 4.64 team ERA is the third-worst in MLB. The bullpen in particular has been an issue with a 4.73 ERA, but we’re not talking about a strong rotation here.
The ace of the staff is probably former Rockies lefty Tyler Anderson, who has a 3.03 ERA. Closer Carlos Estévez, no relation to Charlie Sheen, has done a decent job with 16 saves. The Angels are definitely a team that will give up some runs, so maybe the Cubs have a chance to continue putting up big crooked numbers. That would help the North Siders build up a little momentum, something they’ve failed to do over the last several weeks.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Friday, July 5 at 1:20pm CT on MLB Network (out of market only) and Marquee.
- Saturday, July 6 at 1:20pm CT on Marquee.
- Sunday, July 7 at 1:20pm CT on Marquee.
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | FIP | K/BB |
| 7/5 | Justin Steele | 28 | L | 3.20 | 0-3 | 3.46 | 4.38 |
| Griffin Canning | 28 | R | 4.71 | 3-8 | 5.25 | 1.97 | |
| 7/6 | Kyle Hendricks | 34 | R | 7.48 | 1-6 | 5.34 | 2.56 |
| Tyler Anderson | 34 | L | 3.03 | 7–8 | 4.81 | 1.43 | |
| 7/7 | Hayden Wesneski | 26 | R | 4.14 | 2-5 | 4.92 | 2.68 |
| José Soriano | 25 | R | 3.77 | 4-6 | 4.18 | 2.21 |
What to Watch For
- Ian Happ got on base six times in his last two games with two home runs and two doubles.
- Cody Bellinger has seven hits and three walks during a five-game hitting streak.
- Steele has made five consecutive quality starts and has zero wins to show for it.
- The Cubs have not won three games in a row since April 28.