Texas Rangers (4-3) vs. Chicago Cubs (3-3)
The 2023 Major League Baseball Season is closing out the second week of the season with this interleague battle between the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs at famed Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The line is set even in this game at -110 for both teams with the total set at 8.0.
Chicago shut out Texas on Friday, 2-0. They were the favorites (2.0) with the total set at 6.5. These teams played on Saturday but this preview was written prior to the conclusion of that contest.
The Texas Rangers were blanked by the Chicago Cubs on Friday. The team recorded just three hits. Texas is now 0-1 on the road entering Saturday’s game. Texas is currently second in the AL West.
Texas has scored 36 runs through the first six games, but 16 of those runs came in one contest. In four of the last five, they have been held to two runs or fewer as the Rangers are 23rd in on-base percentage (.305) and have nine homers. Mitch Garver is off to a solid start, hitting .294 with two homers and six RBI.
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— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) April 7, 2023
The Rangers' pitching staff has been solid, ninth in team ERA (3.34) and they have a 1.13 WHIP, fifth best. The Rangers bullpen has been spectacular, first in baseball with a 0.67 ERA, allowing just two runs in 27.0 innings pitched. They have a 0.74 WHIP. Jon Gray will get the start. He took a loss in his opening start of the year, allowing just two runs in 6.1 innings pitched. Gray went 7-7 with a 3.98 ERA last year.