Texas Rangers vs. Chicago Cubs Predictions, Picks and MLB Preview – July 15, 2016

Texas Rangers vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

When: Friday, July 15, 2016, 2:20 PM ET

Line: Texas Rangers (+170) vs. Chicago Cubs (-200) – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: FSSW, CSCh

Writer’s Pick: Chicago Cubs (-200)

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Pitching Edge – Chicago Cubs (-200)

Wrigley Field is a place where Kyle Hendricks (7-6, 2.55 ERA), who is one win shy of matching his career best, shines brightest. He is 5-1 with a staggering 1.67 ERA in his last nine starts at home, including a two-inning relief appearance against the Braves on July 7. But it’ll be very interesting to see if Hendricks can keep it going when he makes his first career start against the third-best team in the majors today—the Rangers.

Speaking of which, the Rangers are set to counter with Martin Perez (7-5, 3.85 ERA), who’s main goal for this game is redemption. He’s allowed 14 hit and 13 runs (nine earned) in his last two starts.

Batting Edge – Chicago Cubs (-200)

The Rangers are averaging almost five runs per game—4.92 to be exact—this season. That, however, shouldn’t intimidate the Cubs at all. And actually, it should be the other way around especially when you look at how lethal their offense has truly been. The NL Central leaders are racking up 5.23 runs and 1.36 homers per game, which are both among the highest in the majors right now.

Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist can all attest to this success. Those three, without a doubt, are Chicago’s top hitters this year. Bryant  leads the team in homers (25), runs batted in (65) and hits (94), while the other two are batting .299 and .283, respectively, and have 34 home runs combined.

Rizzo, in particular, is hoping to keep his flame burning. He’s been playing phenomenally throughout the first half of July, carrying an eye-popping triple-slash line of .400/.478/.700. He’ll also be striving to extend his hitting streak to 10 games in tonight’s opener versus the Mariners.

Writer’s Prediction: Chicago (-200) wins it, 7-4.

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