Cubs Defeat Angels 7-2 in Series Opener

Cabrera and Happ lead the way for Chicago in win over Los Angeles.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:43am

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A vibrant, fractured painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, depicting a baseball game broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color, capturing the energy and movement of the sport.The Cubs' victory over the Angels showcases the team's dynamic offensive and pitching talents through a cubist lens.Chicago Today

The Chicago Cubs defeated the Los Angeles Angels 7-2 in the series opener on Monday. Pitcher Edward Cabrera threw six scoreless innings, and outfielder Ian Happ hit a solo home run to power the Cubs to victory.

Why it matters

The win gives the Cubs an early advantage in the series against the Angels, a key interleague matchup between two teams looking to make a push for the playoffs this season. Cabrera's strong outing and Happ's offensive production were critical factors in the Cubs' success.

The details

Cabrera was dominant on the mound, striking out seven batters and allowing just three hits over his six innings of work. Happ provided the offensive spark with his solo home run, part of a Cubs lineup that scored seven runs on the night.

  • The game was played on Monday, March 31, 2026.

The players

Edward Cabrera

The Cubs' starting pitcher who threw six shutout innings in the win.

Ian Happ

The Cubs' outfielder who hit a solo home run in the game.

Chicago Cubs

The Major League Baseball team that defeated the Los Angeles Angels.

Los Angeles Angels

The Major League Baseball team that lost to the Chicago Cubs.

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What they’re saying

“Cabrera was really locked in tonight. His stuff was electric and he kept the Angels off balance all game.”

— David Ross, Cubs Manager

“We just couldn't get anything going offensively. Cabrera was the difference maker tonight.”

— Phil Nevin, Angels Manager

What’s next

The two teams will continue their series on Tuesday, with the Angels looking to even things up.

The takeaway

The Cubs' strong pitching and timely hitting proved to be the difference in the series opener, giving them an early advantage as they look to solidify their playoff positioning in the competitive National League.