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The Chicago Cubs (32-35) and Tampa Bay Rays (32-35) play the middle contest of a 3-game interleague series at Tropicana Field Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rays lead 1-0
The Cubs suffered a 5-2 loss against the Rays in the interleague series opener Tuesday. Chicago fired out to a 2-0 lead after 6 innings while clinging to a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the 9th inning. However, Tampa Bay scored 4 in the 9th to win it, including a 3-run walk-off HR by Brandon Lowe.
The Rays halted a 4-game losing skid with the walk-off win. Tampa Bay suffered a 4-game series sweep at the hands of the division rival Baltimore Orioles in a wraparound series over the weekend, and it was outscored 25-7. The Under is 2-1-1 in the past 4 outings for Tampa Bay.
Cubs at Rays projected starters
RHP Javier Assad vs. RHP Aaron Civale
Assad (4-2, 2.74 ERA) makes his 14th start. He has a 1.22 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 in 69 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 8-4 road loss vs. Cincinnati Reds Thursday
- 2024 road splits: 2-2, 3.68 ERA (36 2/3 IP, 15 ER), 1.20 WHIP, .232 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 5 HR, 12 BB, 40 K in 7 starts
Civale (2-5, 5.51 ERA) makes his 14th start. He has a 1.36 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 in 67 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 4 ER, 7 H (2 HR), 1 BB, 8 K in 6-3 home loss vs. Baltimore Orioles Friday
- 2024 home splits: 1-3, 4.82 ERA (37 1/3 IP, 20 ER), 1.15 WHIP, .246 OBA, 9 HR, 8 BB, 44 K in 7 starts
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Cubs at Rays odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cubs -102 (bet $102 to win $100) | Rays -116 (bet $116 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+160) | Rays +1.5 (-194)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -120 | U: -102)
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Cubs at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 5, Rays 3
Moneyline
The CUBS (-102) are a decent play as slight road underdogs against the Rays (-116) in this middle game.
Chicago has one of its most consistent pitchers on the mound, as Assad has managed to keep his team in it more often than not. While it’s a little alarming that Assad has allowed 5 HR in 20 2/3 IP across the past 4 starts and walked 2 or more batters in 4 straight starts, and 6 of the past 7, he generally finds ways to wiggle out of trouble by limiting the damage.
Run line/Against the spread
If you’re a little more on the adventurous side, CUBS -1.5 (+160) is worth playing lightly on the run line.
Chicago has just 5 wins since May 21, and it has won by 2 or more runs in 3 of those victories, including just 2 covers on the run line as a favorite. So, be very careful laying the run and a half.
Over/Under
OVER 7.5 (-112) is worth playing lightly, with a half-unit play at best.
The Under has cashed in 4 straight games for the Cubs, so you’ll be going a bit against the grain. Although, despite that Under run, the Over is still 8-4-1 in the past 13 games.
For the Rays, the Under is 2-1-1 in the past 4 contests, but the Over has a slight 5-3-1 edge across the past 9 outings.
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