The reigning World Series Champion Texas Rangers are the MLB odds favorite to sweep their three-game series against the Chicago Cubs today.
Standing in the Rangers' way is rookie southpaw Jordan Wicks. Wicks was sensational late last season and will face veteran righty Jon Gray this afternoon.
Can Chicago avoid the series sweep? Join me as I preview this game with free MLB picks for today’s Cubs vs Rangers matchup on Sunday, March 31.
Cubs vs Rangers odds
Cubs vs Rangers predictions
Last season, the Chicago Cubs had their destiny in their own hands, but injuries prevented them from winning the National League Central.
It was a tough collapse, but one bright spot for the Cubbies was August call-up Jordan Wicks, and he takes the hill today with the chance of ending the Texas Rangers' two-game winning streak.
Wicks was sensational for Chicago: he went 4-1 down the stretch with 17 earned runs over 34 2/3 frames, and the Cubbies were 6-1 in games in which he made an appearance.
The rookie southpaw was especially good on the road. He had excellent command and struck out eight hitters per nine innings. More importantly, Wicks and the Cubs were 3-1 when he made the start in the visitors' blues.
Wicks carried that momentum over to this spring and now finds himself in the same situation as last August: taking the hill on the road in a game where the Cubs bats haven’t barreled up much rawhide — and Chicago could use a win.
It won’t be easy for Wicks. The Rangers have a “murderer's row” with loads of power and have scored 14 runs over the first two games of this series. He has the stuff to keep the Rangers off balance, and the Cubbies can hit against Texas starter Jon Gray.
Gray was dynamite for the Rangers during their postseason run to their first World Championship. He had a decent command with a 40% ground ball rate and had a stellar spring until a neck issue cropped up that he hasn’t fully recovered from.
Wicks will keep the Rangers bangers off balance enough to allow a stagnant Cubs offense to get something going, and they can against Gray. Take Chicago to win the first five.
My best bet: Cubs first five moneyline (+114 at FanDuel)
Cubs vs Rangers same-game parlay
Cubs first five moneyline
Cody Bellinger to record a hit
Cubs moneyline
We have a Sunday afternoon three-leg same-game parlay special, and this is how it correlates with my best bet.
Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger has 11 hits in 25 at-bats against Gray, a career wOBA of .353, and a wRC+ of 124 against right-handed throwers.
Finally, I like the Cubbies to win. Wicks was sensational for Chicago and can score enough early runs to allow closer Adbert Alzolay to redeem himself after blowing a save in the season opener.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Cubs vs Rangers moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- Money has come in on the Rangers moneyline. Texas opened as low as -135 but spiked to -141 in direct response to its 11-2 drubbing over the Cubs
- The total opened as low as nine runs and is 9.5 runs across the U.S. betting landscape
- A bit of money came in on the Cubs run line, raising the price from +1.5 (-162) to +1.5 (-165) at FanDuel
Trend to know
The Cubs are 6-1 over Wicks’ last seven starts.. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Rangers
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Cubs vs Rangers game info
| Location: | Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX |
| Date: | Sunday, March 31, 2024 |
| First pitch: | 2:35 p.m. ET |
| TV: |
Marquee, Bally Southwest |
Starting pitchers
Jordan Wicks (0-0, 0.00 ERA): The southpaw turned a late-August call-up into a tremendous 4-1 run and seems to have carried that momentum over into this season. Chicago is 6-1 when Wicks toes the slab and has a career 3-1 mark as the away uniform.
Jon Gray (0-0, 0.00 ERA): The veteran righty went 8-7 for the World Champs in 2023 and has been fabulous over his eight spring training frames. Gray is an innings eater who is usually around the plate with good command but has been dealing with some sort of neck ailment.
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