Published Apr 3, 3:19am ET by
Demilade Adelekun - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Apr 3, 3:19am ET
Shutterstock
Updated Apr 3, 3:19am ET
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| Cleveland Guardians | -135 |
| Chicago Cubs | +115 |
Cade Horton takes the ball for Chicago after allowing 4 hits and a home run over 6.1 innings with a 2.84 ERA in his first start. The 24-year-old right-hander is coming off a phenomenal rookie season where he went 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 118 innings in 23 appearances.
The Cubs' offense has been solid early, batting .227 with 6 home runs and a .356 slugging percentage. Ian Happ leads with 3 home runs and 5 RBI, though he's hitting just .208. Meanwhile, Nico Hoerner is batting .318 to pace the lineup. Chicago has scored 30 runs through six games, but injuries to key players like Seiya Suzuki have created some uncertainty.
Joey Cantillo goes for Cleveland after getting knocked around in his first start—4 hits, 3 walks, and 3 earned runs in 3.2 innings. The 26-year-old left-hander went 5-3 with a 3.21 ERA last year in 95.1 innings split between relief and starting.
Cleveland's lineup is batting .189 with 6 homers. Chase DeLauter has been the guy with 4 home runs, 5 RBI, and a .273 average. Alongside him, Jose Ramirez has 5 RBI, but he's hitting .143. The Guardians are a slugger-type team, if they can get big hits, it'll turn into runs.
Horton looked sharp in his first start, but the big question is if his rib injuries will bother him. Even with this and Cleveland playing at home, their offense outside of DeLauter has been quiet. Chicago can score enough runs to support Horton if he gives them 5-6 solid innings. The Cubs are getting plus-money here, and Horton's edge on the mound tips this one. We are rolling with the Cubs.
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Pick
Cubs +115
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