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The Texas Rangers (1-0) welcome the Chicago Cubs (0-1) to Globe Life Field Saturday. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Rangers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rangers lead 1-0
The Rangers beat the Cubs in the regular-season opener for both teams Thursday. Texas won 4-3 following a 10th-inning single by C Jonah Heim. Texas finished 50-31 at home last season, barely being edged by the Houston Astros for the AL West crown. The Rangers won the World Series last season and will look to continue their success with a similar roster in 2024.
The Cubs’ 2023 season resulted in an 83-79 finish. They were 9 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. Chicago closed the year 38-43 on the road. It went early into its bullpen Thursday after 4 2/3 innings from SP Justin Steele, who left with an injury Thursday. Steele finished with 1 ER while the bullpen, none of which went for more than 2 innings, had 5 IP and 2 ER.
Cubs at Rangers projected starters
RHP Kyle Hendricks vs. LHP Cody Bradford
Hendricks (6-8, 3.74 ERA) made his 24 starts in 2023. He owned a 1.20 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 through 137 IP
- 2023 road splits: 3-3, 3.29 ERA (65 2/3 IP, 24 ER – 4 HR), 14 BB, 40 K
- Hasn’t faced Texas since Cubs’ 2016 World Series run; threw for 6 scoreless innings on June 13, 2016.
Bradford (4-3, 5.30 ERA) made 8 starts in 2023 (20 appearances). He finished with a 1.21 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 through 56 IP.
- 2023 home splits: 2-1, 4.73 ERA (26 2/3 IP, 14 ER – 5 HR), 6 BB, 26 K
- Has yet to face Chicago in his career
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Cubs at Rangers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cubs +108 (bet $100 to win $108) | Rangers -126 (bet $126 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-178) | Rangers -1.5 (+146)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: -106 | U: -114)
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Cubs at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 6, Rangers 4
Moneyline
BET CUBS (+108).
The Cubs have the pitching advantage as the Rangers may look to their bullpen early. Bradford started 8 games last season and didn’t eclipse 5 IP in any of those. With the Rangers sitting 24th in reliever ERA last season, banking on a strong bullpen showing could give value to the Cubs moneyline.
Chicago has a consistent starter on the mound and had a relatively good road record a season ago. Given neither team showed much offensively Thursday, back the side with the more trustworthy pitch.
Take CUBS (+108).
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
There’s really no value here either way. The Cubs should be able to hang close, but at +1.5 (-178), there’s no value in taking the spread for the road side.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 9.5 (-106).
While the score didn’t reflect it, there was some solid contact made as there were a pair of home runs Thursday in the Opening Day battle. The aces won’t be on the mound which should open the game up some.
The Rangers ended last season with a 93-75-11 O/U record while Chicago was 81-77-4 O/U. With both rosters similar to a season ago, expect the teams to start heating up and back OVER 9.5 (-106).
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