Rangers vs. Cubs odds, lines: Advanced computer model reveals picks for April 7, 2023, matchup

After winning just 68 games a year ago, the Texas Rangers look to continue their hot start as they face the Chicago Cubs in interleague action on Friday afternoon. The Rangers (4-2), who are 3-0 against National League teams this season, are coming off a 5-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. The Cubs (2-3), who had their Wednesday game with Cincinnati rained out, defeated the Reds 12-5 on Tuesday. Texas and Chicago have met just 18 times before with each team recording nine wins.

The game is slated to begin at 2:20 p.m. ET from Chicago's Wrigley Field. Chicago is listed as a -125 favorite (risk $125 to win $100) on the money line in the latest Rangers vs. Cubs odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total runs scored is 6.5 (see the latest lines for every game on our MLB odds page).

Before making any Rangers vs. Cubs picks, you NEED to see the latest MLB predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

This model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. It went 331-285 on top-rated MLB money-line picks (+357) over the past two seasons, and it finished the 2022 MLB season on a 20-14 roll. Anybody who has followed it has seen profitable returns!

The model knows Chicago shortstop Dansby Swanson has been red hot to start the year. In five games, he already has three games in which he has garnered three hits. He went 7-for-12 (.583) in the three-game opening series against the Brewers. For the year, he is 10-for-20 with two doubles and two RBI and a 1.183 OPS. In 162 games with the Atlanta Braves a year ago, Swanson hit .277 with 32 doubles, one triple, 25 homers and 96 RBI.

The model also knows Texas center fielder Adolis Garcia is off to a fast start to the season, batting .348 with a homer, six runs scored and five RBI in six games. In Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles, Garcia was 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. He had three hits and an RBI in Saturday's win over Philadelphia. In 156 games with the Rangers last season, he hit .250 with 34 doubles, five triples, 27 homers and 101 RBI.

Now, it has set its sights on Rangers vs. Cubs. We can tell you the model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 9.4 combined runs, and it also says one side of the money line has ALL the value! You ABSOLUTELY need to see it before locking in any MLB picks of your own.