Chicago at Texas

Chicago's offense faded down the stretch last year, but the Cubs still gained a Wild Card spot and then lost to Colorado. The Cubs suffered some nagging injuries, including to Kris Bryant, which hampered them offensively. The Cubs still have a wealth of talent and will send Jon Lester to the mound today. Lester was 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA with 149 strikeouts in 181 2/3 innings in 2018. The left-hander was a sparkling 11-2 and 2.87 on the road and the Cubs have won four of Lester's last five interleague starts and they have won 24 of their last 33 interleague games overall.  Texas finished last in the AL West and is picked to do so again as it lost 23 of its last 32 games. Mike Minor got off to a rough start last year, allowing 38 earned runs in 66 innings in April and May. The Rangers lost nine of their last 13 home games against lefty starters. Play the Cubs.