Prediction: Chicago Cubs VS Los Angeles Angels 2025-08-24
Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Angels: A Tale of Two Slumps (But Only One Team Knows It)
The Chicago Cubs (-155) and Los Angeles Angels (+140) are set for a rematch just two days after the Cubs’ 3-2 victory, a game so dramatic it gave Pete Crow-Armstrong a new lease on life (and a home-run drought broken). Let’s unpack why the Cubs are the smart bet, with a dash of humor to keep things from getting too pitcher-y.
Parsing the Odds: Why the Cubs Are the Favorite
The Cubs’ implied probability of winning this game? A solid 60% (thanks to their -155 line). For the Angels, it’s a meager 41.67% (+140). But here’s the kicker: those numbers don’t even account for the starting pitchers.
Jameson Taillon (Cubs) vs. Kyle Hendricks (Angels) is a mismatch in favor of Chicago. Taillon’s 4.26 ERA looks pedestrian until you compare it to Hendricks’ 4.93 ERA. But the real stat that makes you chuckle? Hendricks has only seven quality starts in 24 outings—about as reliable as a chair made of spaghetti. Meanwhile, Taillon has 11 quality starts in 18 games, a 61% success rate that makes him the closest thing to a “sure thing” in a sport where sure things are as rare as a perfect game.
The total runs line sits at 9.5, with the over priced slightly lower than the under. Given Taillon’s 78 strikeouts in 101 innings and Hendricks’ 6.1 K/9, this game could be a pitcher’s duel… until the Cubs’ offense wakes up.
Digesting the News: Breaking Slumps Like a Pro
The Cubs’ recent win was fueled by a drought-breaking home run from Pete Crow-Armstrong, who’d been striking out more often than a toddler trying to open a jar of peanut butter. Then there’s Kyle Tucker, who finally hit a homer after a slump so long, he probably forgot what grass looked like. The Cubs’ offense, it seems, is like a car that’s been idling in the rain—sputtering, then suddenly roaring to life.
The Angels? They’re the team that shows up to a barbecue with a fork. Their 61-68 record is a cry for help, and Hendricks’ ERA suggests he’s been pitching in a hurricane (though, to be fair, he’s only earned a 4.93 ERA, not a Category 5). The good news? He’s made 24 starts this season. The bad news? He’s made 24 starts this season.
Humorous Spin: Because Sports Needs Laughs
Let’s be real: The Angels’ pitching staff is like a sieve that’s been told a bad joke—it just can’t hold water (or runs). Hendricks, meanwhile, is the guy who tries to juggle eggs at a party; it’s entertaining, but someone’s going to end up with egg on their face.
The Cubs’ offense, on the other hand, is like a broken toaster that finally works: unpredictable, slightly dangerous, but capable of giving you the warm, fuzzy feeling of a perfectly charred slice of bread. Crow-Armstrong and Tucker? They’re the spark plugs who’ve gone from dead batteries to AAAs in 48 hours.
And let’s not forget the venue: Angel Stadium, where the Angels are 31-34 this season. It’s like hosting a dinner party where half your guests show up with their own dessert. The Cubs, meanwhile, are 40-28 on the road—proof that they can win even when they forget their lucky socks.
Prediction: Why the Cubs Will Win
The Cubs’ combination of a stronger starter (Taillon), a re-awakened offense, and the Angels’ pitching equivalent of a leaky faucet makes this a near-lock. The implied probability from the odds (60% for Chicago) aligns with Taillon’s superior performance and the Cubs’ recent offensive fireworks.
Final Verdict: Bet on the Cubs to win 4-2. The Angels might as well bring a net to catch the runs—they’ll need it. Unless, of course, Hendricks turns into a human flywall, which, given his ERA, seems about as likely as a snowstorm in August.
Go Cubs! And if you bet on the Angels, at least you’ll have a story to tell… assuming you survive the heartburn. 🎉⚾
Created: Aug. 24, 2025, 6:08 p.m. GMT