Get the Latest Score Updates for Rangers vs Cubs – Wednesday April 09, 2025

Texas Rangers

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Chicago Cubs

As the Chicago Cubs prepare to host the Texas Rangers at Wrigley Field on April 9, 2025, both teams continue to perform well early in the season, with the Cubs boasting an impressive 9-5 record and the Rangers at 8-4. After yesterday’s matchup, where the Cubs defeated the Rangers 10-6, the stakes in this interleague series are raising as both squads look to capitalize on the momentum.

Cubs’ starter Shota Imanaga, the #76 ranked pitcher in MLB according to advanced-stat Power Rankings, takes the mound with a sparkling 0.98 ERA. Although Imanaga has shown excellent command, his 4.98 xFIP suggests some potential regression may be ahead. He projects to pitch around 6.2 innings and allow 2.4 earned runs, but he may need to be cautious with his tendency to give up 5.1 hits and 1.3 walks per game. However, with the Cubs offense ranking 4th in MLB and leading in stolen bases, they are poised to capitalize on any mistakes.

On the other side, Rangers’ Tyler Mahle, ranked #88, has a solid 1.35 ERA and is coming off an impressive start, but his 4.93 xFIP also indicates he might have benefited from some luck. Mahle projects to log about 5.2 innings while allowing 2.4 earned runs, but his high walk rate (20.7 BB%) could give the Cubs plenty of opportunities to draw free passes.

With the Cubs’ offense being the 4th best in the league, they have the power to turn Mahle’s fly balls into home runs, which could be critical as they look to build on their recent victory. The low game total of 7.5 runs reflects the strength of both pitchers, but betters should take note that the Cubs are favored at -170, providing a good opportunity for those looking to back the home team.

Texas Rangers Insights

• Tyler Mahle – Over/Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-145/+115)
  Tyler Mahle’s 91.7-mph fastball velocity since the start of last season is in the 22nd percentile out of all starting pitchers.
  Explain: Velocity is a key component to fastball success in generating strikeouts and preventing runs.
• Josh Jung – Over/Under 0.5 Hits (-180/+135)
  Josh Jung has primarily hit in the back-half of the lineup this season (100% of the time), but he is penciled in 3rd on the lineup card in today’s game.
  Explain: The higher in the order a player bats, the more plate appearances he will get and the more opportunities he will get to hit the Over for every market. A player who hits higher in the order than he normally does may provide extra value opportunity since the market may be based on him hitting lower.
• The Texas Rangers have been the unluckiest offense in Major League Baseball since the start of last season, according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X), and are likely to hit better in the future
  Explain: When teams underperform their projected talent level, markets may undervalue them even while they are likely to perform better in the near future.

Chicago Cubs Insights

• Chicago Cubs – 1st Five Innings (F5) Moneyline (-185)
  Shota Imanaga is an extreme flyball pitcher (41.8% FB% via the leading projection system, THE BAT) and is fortunate enough to be pitching in the #23 HR venue in the league in this matchup.
  Explain: This pitcher’s skill set matches up particularly well with the park he’s in today, which may lead to better-than-usual performance.
• Ian Happ – Over/Under 0.5 Total Bases (-145/+115)
  There has been a decrease in Ian Happ’s average exit velocity this year, from 90.8 mph last year to 84.9 mph now
  Explain: Hitting the ball hard increases the chances of either a home run or the ball landing in fair territory for a hit before a fielder can get to it.
• Chicago Cubs – 2H Moneyline
  The Chicago Cubs bullpen ranks as the 4th-worst in baseball, via the leading projection system (THE BAT).
  Explain: Most bettors only consider the starting pitcher, but a weak bullpen sneakily creates an easier matchup for the opposing offense and boosts a game’s runs.

Betting Trends

• Chicago Cubs – Over/Under 4.5 Team Total (+110/-140)
  The Chicago Cubs have hit the Team Total Under in 38 of their last 59 games at home (+14.75 Units / 21% ROI)
• Texas Rangers – Over/Under 1.5 1st Five Innings (F5) Team Total (-105/-125)
  The Texas Rangers have hit the 1st Five Innings (F5) Team Total Under in 18 of their last 30 games (+4.70 Units / 13% ROI)
• Ian Happ – Over/Under 0.5 Singles (+135/-180)
  Ian Happ has hit the Singles Over in 15 of his last 25 games at home (+8.80 Units / 35% ROI)