The Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers meet Saturday in MLB action at Globe Life Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Cubs vs Rangers prediction.
Cubs vs Rangers Odds
The Cubs are slight underdogs with a +102 price, while the Rangers are -120 favorites. This is the third straight game the Rangers are favored over the Cubs. The over / under is at 9.5 runs.
Cubs vs Rangers Pitching Matchup
Kyle Hendricks gets the ball for the Cubs, and he was 6-8 with a 3.74 ERA and 93 strikeouts last season. This will be Kyle Hendricks’ second career game against the Rangers.
Cody Bradford gets the ball for the Rangers, and he was 4-3 with a 5.30 ERA and 51 strikeouts last season. This will be Bradford’s first career game against the Cubs.
Cubs vs Rangers Injuries
Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele and third baseman Patrick Wisdom remain out indefinitely with hamstring and back issues. For the Rangers, they’ll be without pitcher Jonathan Hernandez, first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, and pitchers Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom.
Cubs vs Rangers Recent Meeting / Next Series
The Rangers stole opening day from the Cubs on Thursday thanks to a Travis Jankowski homer in the ninth inning. Jonah Heim then singled in the 10th inning to send the Rangers home with the victory. The Rangers have won 4 of the last 6 games against the Cubs. After this series, the Cubs will play the Rockies while the Rangers will play the Rays.
Texas Rangers Team Facts
- The Rangers have lost each of their last five games as favorites following an extra innings win.
- The road team has covered the run line in each of the Rangers’ last 13 games.
- The Rangers have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
- The Rangers have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five games as home favorites against National League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last five games.
Chicago Cubs Team Facts
- The Cubs have lost each of their last seven night games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last six games as underdogs against American League opponents following a loss.
- The Cubs have led after 3 innings in four of their last six games as underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Cubs have led after 5 innings in four of their last six games as underdogs against American League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last four games as underdogs against AL West opponents.
Cubs vs Rangers Prediction
The Rangers are going to get the benefit of the doubt more times than not because they’re the defending champs. However, Bradford wasn’t great last year in 20 games, as he had an ERA over 5 and walked 12 batters in 56 innings. Hendricks isn’t a flashy name, but he’s been solid over the last decade, with a career 3.48 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. I’m also going to bet the Cubs feel like they let one slip away on opening day and should come out with some juice to get a win back. The value is with the Cubs and the plus money.