Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago Cubs Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Tampa Bay Rays (5-6) will take on the Chicago Cubs (6-4) in the final matchup of their three-game series. Wednesday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:40 PM ET at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois and can be viewed on ESPN+.  

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Score Prediction

Tampa Bay 6, Chicago 5 

Best Bets 

• Over 7.5 (-120) at FanDuel

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Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Predictions

After starting the season 3-0 the Tampa Bay Rays have been struggling to say the least, losing six of their last eight games. The pitching has not been terrible, but they cannot seem to get anything going with their bats, scoring three runs or less in all six losses. During Monday’s loss to the Cubs, the Rays had six hits and managed to bring in just two runs. Right-handed pitcher Drew Rasmussen is scheduled to take the mound Wednesday. Rasmussen is 0-1 through two games this season and has allowed eight hits, five earned runs, and struck out five batters in 9.0 innings of work. 

With a 6-4 record the Cubs find themselves with a slight lead atop the NL Central Division. Chicago has shown consistency with their bats thus far, but the pitching has been all over the place in terms of runs allowed per game. In Monday’s win over the Rays the Cubs had seven hits but managed to drive in four runs thanks to two-home runs throughout the game. The right-hander Marcus Stroman is expected to start for the Cubs. Stroman is 0-1 in two games this season and has given up eight hits, six earned runs, and struck out seven batters in 9.0 innings pitched.  

I like the over to hit in this matchup. Both pitchers have struggled a bit through two games. The Cubs offense has been one of the best in the league so I think we can expect four to six runs from them. The Rays will need to pick things up offensively, which I think will happen as they can’t stay in this slump for too much longer with the talent they have. Backing the over here and think we can expect a close contest.  

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Odds

• Rays -123
• Cubs +106
• Rays -1.5 (+130)
• Cubs +1.5 (-156)
• Over 7.5 (-120)
• Under 7.5 (-102)

MLB Odds | Futures Odds

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Resources

• Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2022
• Matchup: AL East vs. NL Central
• Stadium: Wrigley Field
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• TV-Time: ESPN+ - 7:40 p.m. ET

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Analysis

Prior to Tuesday night's game the Rays are 5-6 SU, 5-6 ATS, and have an O/U record of 4-7. Tampa Bay has struggled on the road this season with a SU record of 1-3. They also have not had much success against the Cubs, going 1-5 SU in their last six meetings. The total has gone under in four of the Rays last six games including Monday’s game against the Cubs that ended with a final score of 4-2.  

The offense has gone cold for Tampa Bay as they have scored more than three runs just one time over their last six games. As a team they have a batting average of .246 (10th), on base percentage of .314 (14th), slugging percentage of .365 (19th), and have scored 46 total runs (13th). The first baseman Ji-Man Choi has been excellent with a batting average of .423 (11-26), two HRs, and eight RBIs. Shortstop Wander Franco has also been putting in work with a batting average of .381 (16-42) and five RBIs.  

The pitching from Tampa Bay has been pretty solid to start the season, but the lack of offensive production has made it tough to win games. As a team they are allowing opponents a batting average of .218 (9th), have an ERA of 3.62 (13th), and have allowed 48 total runs (24th). During Monday’s loss to the Cubs, the Rays used four different pitchers. Starter Shane McClanahan went 6.0 innings and gave up four hits and two runs. The other three pitchers gave up a combined three hits and two runs. The Right-hander Drew Rasmussen is scheduled to start Wednesday. Rasmussen is 0-1 through two games this season and has allowed eight hits, five earned runs, and struck out five batters in 9.0 innings of work. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Analysis

After 10 games the Chicago Cubs are 6-4 SU, 7-3 ATS, and have an O/U record of 4-5-1. The Cubs have been playing well at home this season with a SU record of 3-1. The total has gone under in five of Chicago's last seven games. Chicago has won three of their last five games and won by two runs or more in each of those games. Going back to last season the Cubs have struggled against American League opponents with a SU record of 4-10 in their last 14 matchups with teams from the AL.  

Chicago has shown consistency with their bats as they have been scoring between 4-6 runs per game. As a team the Cubs have a batting average of .277 (2nd), on base percentage of .357 (1st), slugging percentage of .446 (3rd), and have scored 48 total runs (11th). Rookie right-fielder Seiya Suzuki has had a fantastic start to the season and is currently on a nine-game hitting streak prior to Tuesday night’s game. Suzuki has a batting average of .429 (12-28), four HRs, and 11 RBIs. Center fielder Ian Happ hasn’t been as hot, but has a batting average of .345 (10-29) and six RBIs.  

The pitching for the Cubs has held opponents to two runs or less in four games thus far this season. The most runs they have allowed in a game was nine to the Colorado Rockies. Chicago used three different pitchers. Starter Kyle Hendricks lasted 4.1 innings and gave up five hits and two runs. The other two pitchers used allowed a combined hit and zero runs through 4.2 innings. Right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman is expected to take the mound Wednesday. Stroman is 0-1 in two games this season and has given up eight hits, six earned runs, and struck out seven batters in 9.0 innings pitched. 

Key Players to Watch

• TMB: Randy Arozarena - OF (Last Game: 1-4, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB)
• TMB: Wander Franco - SS (Last Game: 3-5, HR, 2B, R, 2 RBI)
• CHC: Seiya Suzuki - OF (Last Game: 0-1, 3 BB)
• CHC: Ian Happ - OF (Last Game: 1-4, R)

Probable Pitchers

• TMB: Drew Rasmussen - RHP (0-1, 5.00 ERA, 5 K, 1.00 WHIP)
• CHC: Marcus Stroman - RHP (0-1, 6.00 ERA, 7 K, 1.33 WHIP)

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago Cubs Betting Conclusion

I expect quite a few runs to be scored in this one, so I’ll take the over here. Chicago has been solid with their bats through 10 games and I think Tampa Bay will finally get out of the slump they are in. Neither starting pitcher has looked all that impressive yet this season which should also help push the total over. We should see a close game throughout and while I’m not confident in who will win, I do think runs will be scored. Taking the over here.