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The Chicago Cubs (0-2) end their season-opening 3-game series with the Texas Rangers (2-0) on Sunday. First pitch from Globe Life Field is scheduled for 2:35 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM 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 2-0
The Cubs scored 1st in both games in this series, but just could not build a lead and ended up losing. On Saturday night they allowed 5 runs before the 5th inning and the Rangers won 11-2. LHP Cody Bradford pitched 5 IP for Texas, allowing 2 R, 3 H with 1 BB and 6 K.
Cubs at Rangers projected starters
LHP Jordan Wicks vs. RHP Jon Gray
Wicks (4-1, 4.41 ERA in 2023) makes his 1st start this season. He ended last year with a 1.26 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 6.2 K/9 in 34 2/3 IP.
- 2023 road starts: 2-1 with a 4.91 ERA in 5 starts
- Allowed 10 BB in 22 IP on the road; just 1 BB in 12 2/3 IP at home
Gray (9-8, 4.12 ERA in 2023) makes his 1st start. He ended last season with 1.29 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 in 157 1/3 IP.
- 2023 home starts: 3-4 with a 4.78 ERA in 15 starts
- 6 K per 9 IP in March/April was his best time in 2023
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Cubs at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:17 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cubs +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Rangers -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-165) | Rangers -1.5 (+140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Cubs at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 7, Rangers 5
Moneyline
The Cubs averaged 8.6 hits per game last year. After 2 games they sit at just 5.5, which is only above the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs. This number is sure to improve, and Sunday’s matchup may be the right time.
In 2023 the Rangers’ RHP Gray allowed a .280 batting average at home compared to .232 on the road.
I like the Cubs at plus money for their 1st win.
BET CUBS +115.
Run line/Against the spread
While I like the Cubs for this game, picking them at +1.5 at -165 is too chalky so PASS.
Over/Under
Texas leads MLB with 14.4 ABs per HR. And Cubs LHP gave up a lot of hits to winning teams (.921 OPS vs .632 OPS against bad teams).
While the Cubs sit at a dreaded 62 ABs per HR, that doesn’t mean they are not hitting. They get 2.2 hits per run, which is high since no team ended last season with more than 2.15. That means their efficiency will get better and Sunday is a great opportunity.
Also, the Cubs lead all teams hitting into double plays (2.5 per game).
LEAN OVER 9.5 (+100).
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