Chicago Cubs (1-0) at Texas (0-1)
When: Saturday, March 30th, 2019
Where: Globe Life Park,
Arlington, Texas
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: NBCS Chicago,
FS Southwest
Opening Odds: Chicago -150/9.5
The Chicago Cubs hope the day off after Opening Day doesn’t cool off their bats as they continue a three-game interleague set with the Texas Rangers from Globe Life Park in Arlington. Chicago’s bats were in midseason form Thursday, pounding out 13 hits in the 12-4 rout of Texas, as every Cubs starter reached base at least once in the game. Javier Baez homered twice to start the season and Kris Bryant also knocked one out for a Cubs team that has one mission this season – get back to the World Series. Texas had just six hits in the contest and Elvis Andrus had half of them including a two-run homer, as the Rangers took only two at-bats with runners in scoring position. Nomar Mazara accounted for the rest of the offense with a two-run dinger of his own. Yu Darvish will make his first start against his former team in this one, taking the mound for the Cubs opposite Edinson Volquez. The Cubs have now won three straight in Arlington, dating back to the 2010 season.
Pitchers: Cubs – Yu Darvish (1-3, 4.95 ERA) | Rangers – Edinson Volquez (4-8, 4.19)
Darvish is looking to rebound from a rough first season in Chicago where he made only eight starts because of an arm injury. He pitched his first 4+ seasons with Texas, going 31-19 with a 3.60 ERA in 65 lifetime starts at Globe Life Park. Darvish was sharp in Cactus League play, posting a 2-0 mark and 2.25 ERA in four starts, but has been bothered by a blister on his right ring finger.
Volquez also had a lost season in 2018, missing it entirely recovering from Tommy John surgery. This will be his first big league start since July 5, 2017 and is back with the team he started his career with. Volquez pitched for both the Reds and Pirates inbetween and has good numbers against the Cubs, going a perfect 8-0 with a 3.10 ERA in 13 career appearances (12 starts).
I really don’t know what to expect from these two starters who have not pitched much over the last year. This is a ball park that yields a lot of runs and both these teams can hit the ball out. Look what the Cubs did already in the first game. I’m liking the over here again.
Pick: OVER 9.5 +108
BETTING TRENDS:
Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 interleague road games.
Cubs are 24-8 in their last 32 interleague road games vs. a team with a losing record.
Cubs are 6-2 in their last 8 road games.
Cubs are 9-3 in their last 12 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Cubs are 19-7 in their last 26 vs. American League West.
Cubs are 20-8 in their last 28 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cubs are 25-10 in their last 35 during game 2 of a series.
Cubs are 35-16 in their last 51 interleague games vs. a team with a losing record.
Cubs are 41-20 in their last 61 interleague games.
Cubs are 1-5 in their last 6 games following an off day.
Cubs are 4-1 in Darvish’s last 5 road starts.
Rangers are 11-5 in their last 16 interleague home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Rangers are 17-35 in their last 52 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Rangers are 3-7 in their last 10 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
Rangers are 5-13 in their last 18 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Rangers are 7-19 in their last 26 overall.
Rangers are 7-19 in their last 26 games on grass.
Rangers are 2-6 in their last 8 interleague games.
Rangers are 2-6 in their last 8 home games.
Rangers are 2-6 in their last 8 Saturday games.
Rangers are 6-22 in their last 28 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Rangers are 3-13 in their last 16 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Rangers are 0-4 in their last 4 during game 2 of a series.
Rangers are 0-4 in their last 4 interleague home games.
Rangers are 2-5 in Volquez’s last 7 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Rangers are 3-13 in Volquez’s last 16 starts on grass.
Rangers are 3-14 in Volquez’s last 17 starts.
Rangers are 1-5 in Volquez’s last 6 home starts.
Rangers are 1-8 in Volquez’s last 9 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-0 in Cubs last 5 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 7-1 in Cubs last 8 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 5-1 in Cubs last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Over is 5-1 in Cubs last 6 road games.
Under is 5-1 in Cubs last 6 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Cubs last 5 interleague games.
Under is 5-2 in Cubs last 7 games following a win.
Under is 5-2 in Cubs last 7 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 5-2 in Cubs last 7 interleague games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 7-3 in Cubs last 10 interleague games vs. a team with a losing record.
Over is 17-8 in Cubs last 25 Saturday games.
Under is 4-0 in Darvish’s last 4 road starts.
Under is 6-1 in Darvish’s last 7 starts on grass.
Under is 6-1 in Darvish’s last 7 starts overall.
Under is 6-0 in Rangers last 6 games following a loss.
Over is 5-0 in Rangers last 5 vs. National League Central.
Under is 6-1 in Rangers last 7 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in Rangers last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Over is 4-1 in Rangers last 5 Saturday games.
Over is 4-1 in Rangers last 5 home games.
Under is 4-1-1 in Rangers last 6 interleague home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 15-5-1 in Rangers last 21 games following an off day.
Under is 5-2 in Rangers last 7 overall.
Under is 5-2 in Rangers last 7 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 47-21-3 in Rangers last 71 interleague games vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 2-0-2 in Volquez’s last 4 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 3-1-1 in Volquez’s last 5 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cubs are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Under is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Texas.
