Cubs at Rangers 3/30/19 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Chicago White Sox will play the second game of a three-game series to open the regular season Saturday on the road against the Texas Rangers. The Cubs won their opening day game 12-4 as Javier Baez started his season strong with a pair of home runs, while southpaw veteran Jon Lester won on opening day for the first time in his last five attempts.

The Texas offense came of the bats of Nomar Mazara and Elvis Aldrus in the form of two-run home runs by each. Mike Minor started on opening day for the first time in his career and allowed five hits and six runs in 4 2/3 innings of work while suffering the loss. The loss spoiled Chris Woodward’s debut as the manager of the Rangers. Ben Zobrist leads the Cubs in batting with an average of .500. Javier Baez has the team lead in home runs with two and RBIs with four. Four players for the Cubs have two hits apiece. The Cubs are averaging .351 at the plate, while opponents are averaging .188. Chicago will send Yu Darvish to the mound on Saturday. The right-hander last season was 1-3 with an ERA of 4.95, 49 Ks and 21 BBs.

Elvis Andrus is batting .750 to lead the Rangers. Andrus and Nomar Mazara each lead Texas with one home run and two RBIs. Andrus leads the Rangers in hits with three. Texas is averaging .188 at the plate, while opponents are averaging .351. On Saturday, the Rangers will send Edinson Volquez to the mound. Volquez did not pitch in 2018, but in 2017 with Miami was 4-8 with an ERA of 4.19.