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The Chicago Cubs (33-35) and Tampa Bay Rays (32-36) wrap up a 3-game interleague series at Tropicana Field Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET (MLB Network). 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: Tied 1-1
The Cubs were upended 5-2 in the series opener Tuesday, but Chicago bounced back for a 4-3 victory as short ‘dogs (-108) as the Under (7.5) just hung on. Tampa Bay has outscored Chicago 8-6 in the first 2 games, as the Under has connected in each meeting.
Despite the win, Chicago is just 2-4 in the past 6 games, while the Under has cashed in 5 consecutive outings.
The Rays won the opener, but they’re having tremendous difficulty lately, too, going 1-5 in the past 6 outings, with the Under going 3-1-1 in the previous 5 contests.
Cubs at Rays projected starters
LHP Justin Steele vs. RHP Taj Bradley
Steele (0-3, 3.65 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 44 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 7 IP, 1 ER (3 R), 5 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 3-2 road loss vs. Cincinnati Reds Friday
- 2024 road splits: 0-1, 3.18 ERA (22 2/3 IP, 8 ER), 0.97 WHIP, .207 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 3 HR, 5 BB, 24 K in 4 starts
Bradley (1-4, 5.17 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 1.18 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 11.2 K/9 in 31 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 1 ER, 3 H (solo HR), 1 BB, 7 K in 5-0 home loss vs. Baltimore Orioles Saturday
- 2024 home splits: 0-3, 2.74 ERA (23 IP, 7 ER), 0.87 WHIP, .169 OBA, 3 HR, 6 BB, 30 K in 4 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 6:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cubs -116 (bet $116 to win $100) | Rays -102 (bet $102 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+140) | Rays +1.5 (-170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -114 | U: -106)
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Cubs at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 3, Rays 2
Moneyline
The CUBS (-116) are worth a look behind the southpaw Steele.
The Rays (-102) have gotten tremendous pitching from Bradley at home, as he has a sub-3.00 ERA at Tropicana Field this season. However, Tampa Bay seems to forget how to hit when Bradley is on the bump. They provided zero runs of support last time out against Baltimore, and the Rays have managed just 4 total runs in Bradley’s 4 home starts, all coming May 26 in a win over Kansas City while getting shut out in the 3 other home outings.
Run line/Against the spread
If you’re a bit more on the conservative side, or you like the home side a little bit and would like some insurance, take RAYS +1.5 (-170).
Again, Tampa has provided Bradley with 4 runs of support in 4 home starts, getting shut out 3 times, so you’ve been forewarned.
Over/Under
UNDER 7.5 (-106) might be the best bet on the board in this interleague series finale.
As you would expect, the Under has cashed at a 5-1 clip in Bradley’s 6 outings to date. The Under is 3-1-1 in Tampa Bay’s past 5 outings, too, while going 6-3-1 in the past 10 games at home. For the Cubs, the Under has cashed in 5 straight outings.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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