Series Preview: Chicago Cubs Host Rangers On Easter Weekend

The Chicago Cubs (2-3) will host the Texas Rangers (4-2) for a three-game set over Easter Weekend. Chicago is coming off of a win against the Cincinnati Reds and had their Wednesday rubber match postponed until Sep. 1.

The Rangers are coming into the weekend having swept the National League champions Philadelphia Phillies over Opening Weekend and having just dropped two of three against the Baltimore Orioles.

Here are the pitching matchups and what to expect:

Friday, April 7:

Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Marcus Stroman (1-0. 0.00 ERA)

Stroman was fantastic in his first start of the season pitching 6.0 innings of scoreless baseball. Eovaldi on the other hand gave up three earned runs in 5.0 innings.

Friday is perhaps the best matchup of the weekend for Chicago as Stroman has proved he can execute in the biggest spots. Eovaldi had a slow ramp up this spring after entering camp with left side soreness.

If the Cubs offense can produce run support, they should be seen as the favorites in this matchup.

Saturday, April 8:

Martín Pérez (1-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. Justin Steele (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Martín Pérez is a professional and has picked up right where he left off in 2022. He turned in one of the best performances of the season for the Rangers' rotation the first time through.

Steele also had an excellent first outing of the season turning in 6.0 innings of scoreless baseball.

Pérez has the track record and Steele has the upside. Saturday's game should be a fun matchup on the mound to witness.

Sunday, April 9:

Jon Gray (0-1, 2.84 ERA) vs. Jameson Taillon (0-1, 6.75 ERA)

Taillon will be looking to get back on track after a rough first outing to start the season. Gray on the other hand had an excellent debut, but said he needed to work on some mechanical stuff ahead of his next start. He had also dealt with an illness in the days leading up to his first start.

If Taillon can't right the ship, it could be a long Easter Sunday at Wrigley Field.

Overall, the Texas Rangers are slight favorites for this series, at least on paper and taking into account this season's performances. However, if Chicago can put it all together, it could become a very interesting and beneficial series for the North Siders.

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