Guy Boston Sports said bettors should look at both the Cubs team-total Over and the moneyline as long as Chicago is priced inside –150 whenever they face a right-handed starter who leans on the slider. The Cubs have been inconsistent overall, but he pointed out they are "actually succeeding" almost exclusively against right-handed sliders, giving them a clear matchup edge. Because the opposing bullpen is unlikely to bail out that starter, he is willing to lay the chalk up to –150 and also play the team total Over rather than chase a bigger number.

Guy Boston Sports plans to attack a Cubs team-total over against Angels right-hander Victor Maderos, provided Chicago opens at –150 or shorter. Maderos leans on a sinker/slider mix, and the tout pointed out that the Cubs’ right-handed core—Nico Hoerner, Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong—has crushed sliders all month. Chicago’s offense was held in check the night before, so he expects positive regression in a friendly matchup. Final confidence will depend on how both pens are used in the ongoing game, but pitch-mix data and recent Cubs success versus sliders make their TT over his early lean.

Eric Lindquist flagged Nolan Schanuel as a home-run sprinkle at +1000 on Novig. He expects Schanuel to return to the two-hole after Thursday’s rest and face Chicago right-hander Ben Brown, whose profile is perfect for power hunting: 47% hard-hit rate, 4.73 xSLG and only a 6.8% walk rate that forces him into the zone. Lindquist noted Schanuel has "nearly ten" homers off righties already and will swing in warm Anaheim conditions that should offset the normal marine layer. With plenty of liquidity still posted at the four-figure price, Lindquist said he’s looking to add the play to his official card.