The Tampa Bay Rays (39-16) and Chicago Cubs (22-30) open a 3-game set Monday at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting of 2023; Rays won last season’s series 2-1
The Rays won 11-10 as -122 home favorites vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday. Tampa Bay won the 3-game series 2-1 and has won 4 of its last 5 contests.
The Cubs lost 8-5 as -168 home favorites vs. the Cincinnati Reds Sunday. Chicago was swept in the 3-game set and has lost 4 straight contests.
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Rays at Cubs projected starters
RHP Taj Bradley vs. RHP Marcus Stroman
Bradley (3-1, 4.44 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 12.6 K/9 through 24 1/3 innings.
- Last outing: Loss, 4 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 0 BB, 7 K in a 20-1 loss vs. Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday
- First career start vs. Cubs
Stroman (4-4, 2.95 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.09 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 7.6 K/9 through 64 innings.
- Last outing: Win, 8 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K in a 4-2 win vs. New York Mets Wednesday
- Career vs. Rays: 5-8, 5.04 ERA (91 IP, 51 ER), 102 H, 13 HR, 31 BB, 75 K in 16 starts
Rays at Cubs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:48 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Cubs +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+140) | Cubs +1.5 (-165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Rays at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 5, Rays 4
Moneyline
Chicago has been playing up to the level of its competition lately and is 6-1 in its last 7 games vs. teams with a winning percentage above .600. Stroman has allowed 2 or fewer runs in 5 of his last 6 starts and should help the Cubs get a much-needed win after getting swept vs. the Reds. Bradley is a young pitcher and may struggle to bounce back after his worst career performance last time out.
BET CUBS (+100).
Run line/Against the spread
Chicago +1.5 (-165) should hit, but there is no need to pay the higher price on the run line when the Cubs should win straight up. Bet the moneyline and/or the total instead.
PASS.
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Over/Under
The Over is 4-0 in Chicago’s last 4 home games and 10-1-1 in its last 12 after a loss. These teams tend to play high-scoring games vs. each other in Chicago, with the Over hitting in 4 of the last 5 meetings, and Monday should be another offensive showcase.
BET OVER 8 (-115).
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