The Tampa Bay Rays (6-6) will try to push their record back above .500 when they take on the Chicago Cubs (6-5) Wednesday. First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rays vs. Cubs with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 1-1
SS Wander Franco powered the Tampa offense with 1 HR and 2 RBIs in a 6-5 victory Tuesday. Cubs LHP Justin Steele had a poor performance with 4 ER allowed on 3 H and 3 BB with just 1 K over 2 2/3 IP. The loss dropped Chicago’s home record to 3-2 on the season.
Rays at Cubs: Projected starters
RHP Drew Rasmussen vs. RHP Marcus Stroman
Rasmussen (0-1, 5.00 ERA) makes his third start of the year. He has allowed 5 ER on 8 H and 1 BB with 5 K through 9 IP.
- Took the loss against the White Sox last time out with 3 ER allowed in 5 IP.
- He didn’t issue any walks in his last start and while he punched out just 2 batters, he induced 9 swings and misses among his 68 pitches.
Stroman (0-1, 6.00 ERA) makes his third start. He has given up 6 ER on 8 H and 4 BB with 7 K through 9 IP.
- After allowing just 1 ER across 5 IP in his first start, he was roughed up Friday in Colorado for 5 ER in just 4 IP the last time he took the mound.
- He has never been a huge strikeout pitcher and this year’s sample is small but his current 6.3% swinging-strike rate is the lowest of his career and well below last year’s 11.6% mark.
Rays at Cubs odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Rays -117 (bet $117 to win $100) | Cubs -103 (bet $103 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+133) | Cubs +1.5 (-165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: +110 | U: -135)
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Rays at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 5, Cubs 4
Money line
Rasmussen shouldn’t be expected to work real deep into the game as he has topped out at 68 pitches so far. However, he’ll turn things over to a relief corps that ranks fourth in the majors with a K-BB% of 18.8%.
Stroman isn’t missing bats so far this season and the Tampa offense should be able to take advantage and come out on top. Back the RAYS (-117).
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Run line/Against the spread
Through 11 games the Cubs have lost by more than 1 run just twice, and the Rays have won by multiple runs only three times in 12 contests. This one should be pretty close throughout so PASS.
Over/Under
The total has gotten to double digits four times this season for both of these teams, and it will likely fall short of that mark again. Look for UNDER 9.5 (-135) to cash in this game.
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