New season, new look for Texas and Chicago
The 2023 Major League Baseball season is about to commence, and the Texas Rangers and the Chicago Cubs are gearing up for their opening day match-up set to take place at Wrigley Field in Chicago on April 7th at 2:20 p.m. ET. Both teams have undergone significant changes during the offseason, with new faces on their rosters.
Marcus Semien looks to bounce back for the Rangers
One of these new faces is shortstop, Marcus Semien, who signed a massive contract with the Texas Rangers last season but struggled in his first year with the team. Despite this poor start, Semien is expected to perform well in this game as he has a good career record against Cubs’ pitcher Marcus Stroman.
Upstart offense led by Dansby Swanson for the Cubs
On the other side, the Chicago Cubs have also revamped their roster with some exciting new additions such as shortstop Dansby Swanson. Swanson will lead an upstart offense that will aim to put runs on the board early and often against the Rangers.
Stroman’s spin rate poses a threat to Texas
The Cubs’ pitching staff also looks sharp heading into this game, with pitcher Marcus Stroman looking elite on Opening Day. His unique spin rate could pose problems for the Texas hitters who have struggled against right-handed starters recently.
The Under trend vs. Cubs’ productive offense
The total runs for this game have been lowered due to solid pitching matchups and windy conditions at Wrigley Field. However, it’s worth noting that recent games between the Rangers and right-handed starters have seen trends towards the under. The Cubs’ productive offense may disrupt this trend in their home opener.
Betting edge in favor of Chicago
Despite the trends, the betting edge for this game is in favor of the Cubs due to their pitching advantage and productive offense. However, there is a player on the Texas roster who may be undervalued in the market.
Corey Seager’s performance under scrutiny
Corey Seager has had a slow start to the season, but his previous performance and current statistics suggest that he is an excellent player who may be undervalued in the market. In addition, there is reason to believe that some of Seager’s previous bad luck may be alleviated with changes to shift rules.
Bet on Seager’s total bases over 1.5
Seager’s tendencies play into the strengths of Cubs’ pitcher Marcus Stroman. However, our prediction is that Seager’s total bases will be over 1.5 in this game, making him an excellent wagering option.
In conclusion, this opening match-up between the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs promises to be an exciting affair. Both teams have made significant roster changes going into this new season, and it’ll be fascinating to see how they fare against each other. The Cubs have a clear betting edge heading into this game, but keep an eye on Corey Seager as he may prove to be a profitable wagering option.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
