Chicago Cubs vs Texas Rangers Prediction, 4/5/2022 MLB Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Cubs vs Texas Rangers

Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Location: Surprise Stadium in Surprise, AZ

TV: MLBTV

Taylor Hearn and the Texas Rangers (60-102 last year, 5th in AL West) host the Chicago Cubs (71-91 last season, 4th in NL Central) at Surprise Stadium on Tuesday.

Chicago had a slugging % of .407 and struck out 1,596 times, while taking a walk on 502 occasions. They had 672 runs batted in in addition to 1,255 base knocks over the course of last year, while their average at the plate came in at .237. The Cubs recorded 225 doubles as a squad and knocked 210 baseballs out of the park. They accounted for 705 runs and held an OBP of .312. As a team, the Chicago Cubs put up 4.4 runs per game, which had them at 21st in the league.

Get all of our MLB Expert Picks

The Cubs had an ERA of 4.88 in the prior season (27th in the league), and they rung up 1,358 hitters. Their pitching staff walked 596 players from the other team and their FIP came in at 4.88 as a unit last season. Their strikeout to walk ratio was 2.28 and their pitching staff held a collective WHIP of 1.40. Cubs pitchers conceded 235 home runs and 839 runs in total (28th in MLB).

The Cubs relievers had a save percentage of 67.8% and entered the game in 136 save situations. The bullpen inherited 278 base runners during the previous year with 36.3% of those runners crossed home plate. Cubs bullpen pitchers entered the game with players on base 169 times in addition to having 175 outings in high leverage situations. The Cubs had dispatched 599 relievers to the mound over the course of last season. The bullpen racked up 75 holds for the previous season (18th in MLB). They had 40 saves last year and did not convert 19 of 59 save chances.

The Chicago Cubs accounted for 4,238 putouts during the previous year, in addition to 1,554 assists and 87 errors. Their fielding rate held steady at .985 which had them ranked 15th in MLB, and accumulated 149 double plays. The Cubs converted 69.1% of balls hit into play into outs out of 12,714 innings, which ranked them 20th in MLB.

Mills has pitched in 238 innings and has earned 202 strikeouts in his career. His earned run average is 4.60 (122 ER's allowed) and he has a career WHIP of 1.303. He has conceded 235 hits (8.9 hits per 9 innings) and has had 76 walks. Mills (12-13 record in his career) sits with a FIP of 4.56 and he has gone up against 1,011 opposing batters during his time in the majors.

The Rangers had a SLG% of .375 and they had an average of 3.86 runs per outing (28th in the league). They hit 225 doubles, while taking a walk 433 times as well as scoring 625 runs. Texas had 167 home runs over the course of the prior season to go along with 598 RBIs. They were rung up on 1,381 occasions (21st in the league) and tallied 1,254 hits. The Texas Rangers had an on-base percentage of .294 and a batting average of .232 for the previous season.

The Rangers had a WHIP of 1.345 and were the owners of a FIP of 4.76 as a pitching staff in the previous season. They were ranked 27th in MLB as a pitching staff in total hits conceded with 1,402. The Texas pitching staff surrendered 815 runs over the course of last year while holding an ERA of 4.79 (758 earned runs surrendered). They earned a strikeout to walk ratio of 2.42 (1,239 strikeouts vs 513 walks). They surrendered 232 dingers and they surrender 5.15 runs per 9 innings (24th in baseball).

With 118 save situations, the Rangers amassed 65 holds and also 20 blown saves. Texas called on bullpen pitchers to take the mound in 51 save chances and they walked away with 31 saves. Their bullpen pitchers took the field 130 times in high leverage situations and on 143 occasions with runners on. Texas bullpen pitchers held an inherited score percentage of 33.0% out of 221 inherited runners. They were ranked 15th in the league with a save percentage of 60.8%, and they dispatched 507 relievers to the mound last season.

In 12,819 innings on the diamond, the Rangers earned a defensive efficiency of 69.8% (11th in professional baseball). Texas Rangers turned 146 double plays and earned a fielding percentage of .986 (12th in professional baseball). The Rangers accrued 1,462 assists, 83 errors and had 4,273 putouts in the prior season.

Hearn (6-7 career mark) has a 4.80 ERA while allowing 8.3 hits per 9 innings. He has a K/BB ratio of 2.02 and he has gone up against 525 batters thus far in his career. He has conceded 65 earned runs while earning a WHIP of 1.385 and being the owner of a FIP of 4.8. During his career, Hearn has conceded 112 hits and he has 115 strikeouts in 122 innings pitched.

Who will win tonight's MLB game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Chicago

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here