The Chicago Cubs open the season in Arlington Texas to take on the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park for their three-game series. The Cubs kicking the year off against the defending World Series Champions will be a good test to start the season.
Chicago Cubs (0-0) VS Texas Rangers (0-0)
Game 1:
Date: Thursday, March 28th
Time: 7:35 PM
Broadcast: ESPN
Game 2:
Date: Saturday, March 30th
Time: 7:05 PM
Broadcast: Marquee Sports Network
Game 3:
Date: Sunday, March 31st
Time: 2:35 PM
Broadcast: Marquee Sports Network
Probable Starting Pitchers
Game One: Justin Steele (0-0, 0.00 ERA) VS Nathan Eovaldi (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Steele will get the opening day start for the Cubs, last year Steele made 30 starts and had a record of 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA. In 173.1 innings worked Steele struck out 176 batters, walking 36 with a 1.17 WHIP on the campaign. This Spring Steele made four starts with a 4.91 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 11 innings worked, with 13 strikeouts and two walks. Eovaldi last year made 25 starts for the Rangers going 12-5 with a 3.63 ERA. He threw 144 innings with 132 strikeouts, 47 walks, and a 1.14 WHIP last year. This Spring Eovaldi went 1-0 in four games starting with 13.2 innings worked. He struck out 13, walked six, had a 2.63 ERA, and a 1.10 WHIP on the spring.
Game Two: Kyle Hendricks (0-0, 0.00 ERA) VS (TBD) Jon Gray (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Veteran Kyle Hendricks will take the ball for the Cubs in game two of the series Saturday. Hendricks made 24 starts last season going 6-8 on the year over 137 innings pitched. He struck out 93 batters, and walked 27, with a 3.74 ERA, and a 1.20 WHIP. This spring he started six games going 1-2 with a 6.30 ERA. He struck out 13, walked five, and had a 1.70 WHIP this spring. Jon Gray hasn’t been announced but is projected as the number two to start the year for the Rangers, so he’s likely to start game two. Gray last year started 29 games going 9-8 over 157.1 innings. He struck out 142 batters, and walked 54, with a 4.12 ERA, and a 1.29 WHIP. This spring Gray started two games going 2-0, with a 0.00 ERA over eight innings of work. He struck out seven, walked two, and had a 0.75 WHIP.
Game Three: Jordan Wicks (0-0, 0.00 ERA) VS (TBD) Andrew Heaney (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Game three is lining up to be a lefty vs lefty matchup on Easter. The Cubs will give the ball to Jordan Wicks, who started seven games last year going 4-1, with a 4.41 ERA over 34.2 innings worked. He struck out 24, walked 11, and had a 1.27 WHIP on the year. This spring Wicks started five games appearing in six total going 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA over 21.1 innings worked. He struck out 16, walked four, and had a 1.08 WHIP. Heaney hasn’t been announced but is projected to be third in line to start the year for the Rangers. Last year Heaney appeared in 34 games making 28 starts going 10-6 on the year. He pitched 147.1 innings, striking out 151 batters, walking 60, and had a 1.38 WHIP on the year. This spring he started three games going 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA and pitched 10 innings. He struck out 12, walked five, and had a 1.60 WHIP this spring.
Chicago Cubs vs. Texas Rangers Leaders
(Spring Training Players)
Cubs:
AVG – Seiya Suzuki – .459
HR – Seiya Suzuki – 6
RBI – Seiya Suzuki – 12
IP – Jordan Wicks – 21.1
ERA – Jordan Wicks – 2.53
K – Shota Imanaga – 25
Rangers:
AVG – Wyatt Langford – .365
HR – Wyatt Langford – 6
RBI – Wyatt Langford – 20
IP – Dane Dunning – 14.1
ERA – Jon Gray – 0.00
K – Dane Dunning – 17
Chicago Cubs vs. Texas Rangers Leaders
(2024 Spring Training Rank)
Cubs
AVG: .248 (17)
OPS: .753 (16)
R: 168 (8)
HR: 49 (1)
ERA: 4.57 (15)
K: 306 (4)
WHIP: 1.32 (7)
Rangers
AVG: .247 (23)
OPS: .707 (21)
R: 145 (15)
HR: 23 (26)
ERA: 4.40 (10)
K: 269 (20)
WHIP: 1.38 (15)
Wrap Up
Finally, the 2024 Season has arrived and what better test than kicking the year off versus the defending World Series Champions? The Cubs pitching staff will get a real test out of the gates, while the bats will face off against a staff that isn’t 100% at the time being, but still formidable. Seiya Suzuki looks to carry his hot hitting from spring training over to the regular season, while Justin Steele looks to build off a breakout season from 2023. The Rangers have a talented team, but I would suggest keeping your eye on Rookie Wyatt Langford the kid is special. A big opening series for the Cubs, before they head off to Colorado, a hot start would be a nice way to kick off the 2024 season.
