Chicago Cubs at Texas Rangers odds, picks and predictions

Mar 23, 2024; Surprise, Arizona, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers meet Thursday in the regular-season opener at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. ET (ESPN). 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: Cubs won 2-1, outscoring the Rangers 14-11 with the favorite cashing in 2 of the 3 meetings and the Over also going 2-1

The Cubs posted an 83-79 record in 2023, finishing 9 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central Division. The Cubs managed a plus-96 run differential, which was actually best in the division, and 4th-best in the National League. Chicago posted a 38-43 record on the road, while going 30-22 inside the division and 25-21 vs. the AL.

The Rangers were edged out for the American League West Division by the Houston Astros, finishing 90-72. Texas made up for it with a wonderful postseason run, resulting in the team’s 1st World Series championship. Texas finished 19-13 inside the AL West last season, and it was 50-31 at home, and 22-24 vs. the NL.

Cubs at Rangers projected starters

LHP Justin Steele vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi

Steele (16-5, 3.06 ERA) made 30 starts in 2023. He posted a 1.17 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 through 173 1/3 innings.

• 2023 road splits: 4-2, 3.66 ERA (71 1/3 IP, 29 ER – 9 HR), 15 BB, 71 K
• 2023 vs. Texas: 1-0, 1.50 ERA, 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K in 1 start

Eovaldi (12-5, 3.63 ERA) made 25 starts in 2023. He posted a 1.14 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 through 144 innings.

• 2023 home splits: 6-3, 3.70 ERA (65 2/3 IP, 27 ER – 9 HR), 21 BB, 62 K
• 2023 vs. Cubs: 0-1, 3.18 ERA, 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K in 1 start

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers Draft Prep and full-season subscriptions. Sign up today and start winning!

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 6:26 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Cubs -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Rangers -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+155) | Rangers +1.5 (-190)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -120 | U: +100)

Cubs at Rangers picks and predictions

Prediction

Rangers 4, Cubs 3

Moneyline

The RANGERS (-115) celebrate their World Series title prior to the team’s opener against the Cubs (-105). Texas won 11-7 last season against the Philadelphia Phillies in the team’s opener against another interleague opponent.

Texas is 2-3 in the past 5 openers, and the team suffered a 12-4 loss against the Cubs on March 28, 2019, the last time the teams met for an opener.

Run line/Against the spread

The Rangers +1.5 (-190) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return if you’d like a little insurance on the defending champs, but can’t trust them straight up.

It’s not a recommended betting strategy, especially over the long term.

PASS.

Over/Under

UNDER 8 (+100) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.

We have a strong pitching matchup. While Steele put up good numbers in 2023, the Over was actually 9-3 in his final 12 starts, as the bullpen let him down time and time again, so be careful.

The Under has cashed in 12 of the past 17 interleague games for the Rangers, too. Go low, but play it safe and don’t get carried away.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:

BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball

This article originally appeared on USA Today Sportsbookwire: Chicago Cubs at Texas Rangers odds, picks and predictions