Cubs vs Rangers Prediction 4/7/25 MLB Picks Today

The Texas Rangers and the Chicago Cubs meet Monday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. This will be the first installment in a three-game series this week. Here’s a Cubs vs Rangers prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Cubs vs Rangers pick.

Texas Rangers Betting Preview

Texas got their start in a four-game series versus the Boston Red Sox this year. The Rangers lost the opener of that set (and the season) 5-2, but came back with three straight wins 4-1, 4-3 and 3-2 to take the series. Next up was a matchup with the Reds. Texas similarly fell in the first games 14-3, then took one-run wins 1-0 in the next pair. The Rangers would keep it going in the opener of the weekend set versus Tampa Bay, winning 5-2 on Friday. Texas scored four of their runs in the third inning during that victory, and Josh Smith provided a solo homer with two runs and two hits along the way. Starter Tyler Mahle lasted 5.0 clean frames with one hit, two walks and five strikeouts as well. In game two versus the Rays on Saturday, the Rangers posted a 6-4 victory after scoring four runs in the first inning alone. All six RBI came via homers from Jake Burger (three RBI), Wyatt Langford (two RBI) and Marcus Semien (solo).

In the Sunday finale Texas posted a walk-off victory 4-3 with three runs in the final four frames. Josh Smith had three hits with two runs, and Corey Seager added a solo home run. Starter Kumar Rocker lasted 5.0 innings with one earned on six hits.

For the Monday starting pitcher role the Rangers are going with Nathan Eovaldi. So far this year Eovaldi has two starts under his proverbial belt, going 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA on two earned runs in 15.0 total frames. Eovaldi is 92-81 with a 4.04 ERA in his MLB career over 296 games (277 starts) in all.

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

Over on the Cubs’ side, they kicked off their season in Japan with a couple of losses to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chicago got better after spring training, splitting a four-game series versus the Arizona Diamondbacks as the year really got going. In their third set versus the Oakland Athletics, the Cubs bagged a sweep, posting victories 18-3, 7-4 and 10-2. Chicago kept rolling with a 3-1 win in the opener versus the Padres this past weekend, then on Saturday the Cubs bagged another victory 7-1. Chicago posted 11 team hits in that one, with Carson Kelly (four RBI; two hits) and Dansby Swanson (two runs; two hits) each notching a home run. Starter Matthew Boyd logged 6.0 clean frames with five hits and one walk.

In the Sunday finale versus San Diego, Chicago had a 7-3 lead in the third inning but ended up falling 8-7 .Starter Ben Brown gave up five earned in 4.0 frames on seven hits and four walks.

As starting pitcher for Monday’s opener, the Cubs will go with Justin Steele. So far over three starts this year Steele is 2-1 with a 6.89 ERA and 13 Ks in 15.2 innings. Steele has a career mark of 31-22 with a 3.35 ERA in 101 games (90 starts).

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Rangers have lost each of their last eight road games against National League opponents following a home win.
• The Cubs have won 11 of their last 12 home games against AL West opponents following a loss.
• The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 night games against National League opponents following a home win.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games against AL West opponents following a home loss.
• The Cubs have won the first inning in five of their last six night games against AL West opponents.
• The Rangers have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last six road games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have led after 5 innings in each of their last eight games.

Why the Texas Rangers will win

• The Cubs have lost each of their last eight night games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
• The Rangers have won four of their last five games as underdogs after playing the previous day.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in 11 of their last 12 night games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
• The Rangers have covered the run line in each of their last five games as underdogs after playing the previous day.
• The Rangers have led after 5 innings in five of their last six night games.
• The Rangers have led after 3 innings in five of their last six night games.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Cubs’ last six games after playing the previous day have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the Rangers’ last five games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last six night games against AL West opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last four games as underdogs.

Cubs vs Rangers Prediction

I’ll lean toward the Rangers. At least some of that is due to a shaky start so far this year by Steele. Sure, it’s only been three outings but the ERA is an inflated 6.89 so far. That’s due to 12 earned runs in 15.2 innings total. Steele is coming off 6.2 frames, four earned, seven hits and a walk in an April Fool’s Day matchup versus the Athletics (the Cubs won that one 7-4 in the end). As for Eovaldi, he’s coming off a complete game shutout in a tense 1-0 victory over Cincinnati, also on April 1. Eovaldi had just four hits, no walks and eight strikeouts in that one.

Texas was pretty mute for most of the game against the Rays on Sunday, but the bats came alive later in the win. Outside of a rough day for Marc Church (1.0 innings; two earned) the bullpen came up strong. I like the Rangers to keep it going Monday.