Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago Cubs odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago Cubs odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Tampa Bay Rays (39-17) and Chicago Cubs (23-30) play the 2nd game of a 3-game set Tuesday at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 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: Cubs lead 1-0

The Rays lost 1-0 as -118 favorites Monday in the series opener. Tampa Bay was shut out for the 1st time since April 26 and is just 10-10 in its last 20 games.

The Cubs closed as +109 home underdogs in Monday’s win. OF Mike Tauchman drove in the game’s only run on a sacrifice fly in the 4th inning as Chicago ended a 4-game skid.

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Rays at Cubs projected starters

LHP Shane McClanahan vs. RHP Kyle Hendricks

McClanahan (8-0, 1.97 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.13 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 10.5 K/9 through 64 innings.

  • Last outing: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 7 K in a 7-3 win vs. Toronto Blue Jays Wednesday
  • Only career start vs. Cubs: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 9 K in a 4-2 road loss April 18, 2022

Hendricks (0-1, 6.23 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He allowed 3 ER on 6 H and 2 BB with 5 K through 4 1/3 innings in his debut vs. the New York Mets Thursday.

  • 16 starts in 2022: 4-6 with a 4.80 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 7 K/9 in 84 1/3 IP
  • Only career start vs. Rays: No-decision, 4 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 6 K April 18, 2022

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 1:23 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Rays -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Cubs +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (-115) | Cubs +1.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Rays at Cubs picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 6, Cubs 3

Moneyline

The Rays are 4-0 in their last 4 games after scoring 2 or fewer runs. Tampa Bay (-200) should hit, but there is no need to pay the higher price on the moneyline when the Rays should win by multiple runs. Bet the run line and/or the total instead.

PASS.

Run line/Against the spread

The Rays are 4-0 in their last 4 games after a loss and 5 of their last 6 wins have been by multiple runs. The Cubs have lost 4 of their last 5 home games and each of those losses has been by 3 or more runs.

Tampa Bay should have no problem bouncing back and winning by margin with its advantage at starting pitcher Tuesday.

BET RAYS -1.5 (-115).

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Over/Under

The Over is 15-3 in Tampa Bay’s last 18 games and 5-1 in its last 6 interleague contests.

The Over has hit in 4 of the Rays’ last 5 road games vs. teams with a losing record. Tampa Bay should be able to score enough runs to help the Over cash Tuesday, even though McClanahan likely won’t give up many to Chicago.

BET OVER 8.5 (-110).

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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