Cubs vs Rangers Pick Today | MLB Odds, Predictions (Saturday, March 30)
(Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) Pictured: Cody Bradford.
Cubs vs. Rangers Odds
| Cubs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -190 | 9.5 -110o / -110u | +105 |
| Rangers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +160 | 9.5 -110o / -110u | -125 |
Here's everything you need to know about Cubs vs Rangers on Saturday, March 30 — including odds and a prediction.
Cubs vs Rangers odds have Texas as a -120 favorite on the moneyline while the over/under is set at 9. The Rangers will hand the ball to left-hander Cody Bradford, and I am looking at his prop market for my Cubs vs Rangers pick for Saturday evening.
Let's dive into why I am fading Bradford as I make a Cubs vs Rangers pick.
While Chicago only scored three runs on six hits in its Opening Day loss to Texas, this lineup did a tremendous job in avoiding the strikeout. The Rangers went with Nathan Eovaldi on the mound in that outing, and he only recorded three strikeouts across six innings of work.
Although the Cubs missed out on the playoffs last year, it was not because of this lineup. In 2023, they ranked in the top 11 of the league in BA, SLG, OPS and wOBA.
They also ranked 13th in K%, which makes sense when you look at the makeup of this team. Diving into Saturday's projected starting lineup, six of Chicago's nine hitters finished 2023 with a K% south of 23%.
That strikeout avoidance is likely to continue against Bradford, who struggled mightily in his debut campaign last year. Through 20 appearances on the mound, the left-hander posted a 5.30 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.
His underlying metrics were just as poor, ranking in the 39th percentile or lower in xERA, Barrel% and Hard-Hit%. Bradford also struggled in the strikeout department, ranking in the 21st percentile in Whiff% and 37th percentile in K%.
He alternated between the rotation and the bullpen, but the left-hander failed to record more than three strikeouts in four of his seven official starts. The problem with Bradford and the strikeout is that he pumps his four-seamer at a nearly 55% clip, throwing it twice as much as the next pitch.
However, that fastball carried a .260 BA, .535 SLG and a mere 18.6 Whiff% last year.
Cubs vs. Rangers
Betting Pick & Prediction
Bradford will certainly be a project for Texas this year, and there really is not a ton to like based on his performance last year. His underlying metrics were just as bad, which may offset the development one would expect form a 26-year-old entering his second year in the league.
Even if Bradford looks sharp, he is not a big strikeout threat, which is why his prop total can be found as low as 3.5. Furthermore, Chicago possesses an underrated lineup that does a tremendous job at avoiding the punchout.
At plus money, I think it is worth taking a shot on Bradford to record three or fewer strikeouts, especially after Eovaldi only recorded three against the Cubs across six innings just two days ago.
Pick: Cody Bradford Under 3.5 Strikeouts (+105 at DraftKings | Play to +100)
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