Chicago Cubs vs
Texas RangersPredictions & Preview

Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers set to face off on opening day of 2024 MLB season, with Justin Steele and Nathan Eovaldi on the mound.

The Chicago Cubs will face the defending World Series champions, the Texas Rangers, on opening day of the 2024 MLB regular season. Justin Steele will start on the mound for the Cubs, coming off a strong season last year with a 16-5 record and a 3.06 ERA. Nathan Eovaldi will start for the Rangers, who finished last season with a 12-5 record and a 3.63 ERA. Texas is the favorite to win, with the current line set at Texas -114. For expert picks and a chance to start winning, don't miss out on placing your bets.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cubs +104 | Rangers -114
• Spread: Cubs +1.5 (-205) | Rangers -1.5 (+175)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Texas will win straight-up is 53%.

Chicago vs Texas Stats

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs made some key moves in the off-season, including signing former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell to lead the team in their quest for a National League central title in 2024. While most of the roster remains unchanged, the Cubs re-signed Cody Bellinger and added new talent such as Michael Busch. Chicago lost Marcus Stroman but signed Shota Imanga to fill the gap. The lineup features Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, and Bellinger in the outfield, while Busch and Nico Hoerner hold down the right side of the infield. Christopher Morel and Dansby Swanson man the left side. Yan Gomes will catch, and Patrick Wisdom and Garrett Cooper will share DH duties. The pitching rotation includes Steele, Imanga, Hendricks, Wicks, and Assad, with Alzolay closing. Currently ranked 6th in offense, 16th in defense, and with a power ranking of 12, the Cubs are off to a strong start this season.

Texas Rangers Analysis

The Texas Rangers made limited moves during the off-season, adding Tyler Mahle and David Robertson as notable additions. Mahle will be out for the first half of the regular season due to Tommy John surgery. The team also acquired Kirby Yates for bullpen support. They will be without key pitchers like Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer at the beginning of the season. The team will rely on their strong batting lineup, led by Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Adolis Garcia, Josh Jung, and others. The starting lineup includes Nate Lowe, Semien, Jung, Seager, Garcia, Taveras, Carter, and Heim. The rotation will include Eovaldi, Gray, Heaney, Dunning, and Bradford. Jose Leclerc will serve as the closer. The team is ranked 6th overall and #3 for offense, averaging 5.46 runs per game. Defensively, they are ranked 13th, giving up 4.37 points per game. Texas recently went 1-2 against Chicago in their last matchups.

Defending World Series Champions Texas Rangers Face Tough Opening Day Matchup Against Chicago Team

The Texas Rangers, who are the defending World Series champions, will face a tough challenge on opening day against the Chicago team. Texas starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has shown consistency on the mound, however, the absence of Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom puts the team at a disadvantage. In contrast, Chicago's ace Justin Steele had an impressive season last year, winning 16 games with a 3.06 ERA and 176 strikeouts. With pitchers often dominating the early weeks of the regular season, Steele is likely to have a strong performance against the Rangers' lineup. In their previous matchups, Steele has proven to be a formidable force against Texas, holding them to minimal hits and runs. Additionally, Chicago's recent re-signing of Cody Bellinger adds depth to their lineup, making them a formidable opponent for the Rangers.

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