The Tampa Bay Rays (39-18) end their 3-game series with the Chicago Cubs (24-30) Wednesday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is at 2:20 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 2-0
The Rays and Cubs combine to average over 10 runs per game, but this series has been unusual to say the least. The Cubs followed up Monday’s 1-0 victory with a 2-1 win Tuesday and now the Rays are a loss away from being swept for the 1st time this season.
The Cubs bullpen helped seal the victory, allowing 1 hit in 4 innings after RHP Kyle Hendricks showed he has more left in the tank after missing most of the 2022 season with a shoulder injury.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Rays at Cubs projected starters
RHP Zach Eflin vs. LHP Justin Steele
Eflin (7-1, 3.17 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.01 WHIP, 1.2 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 54 innings.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 2 B, 0 K in an 6-3 win vs. the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday
- Has a 1.08 OPS when the batter is ahead in the count and a .451 OPS when he is ahead
Steele (6-2, 2.77 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.10 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 in 65 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 3.2 IP, 5 ER, 10 H, 0 BB, 4 K in a 9-0 loss against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday
- Allowed a total of 2 home runs this season
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 9:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Cubs +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+120) | Cubs +1.5 (-145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 9/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!
Rays at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 4, Cubs 2
Moneyline
The Rays have yet to be swept this season and I’m skeptical it will it come against these Chicago Cubs. Despite not giving up a HR at Wrigley Field this season, Steele allows .260 BA at home versus .209 on the road.
BET RAYS -135.
Run line/Against the spread
Before this series the Cubs lost 10 of their 12 one-run games this season. If the Rays win this game, it’s more likely than not that their margin will be greater than 1 run. I like the spread to boost the odds.
RAYS -1.5 (+120).
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
After 2 low-scoring games, I like the Under again. Certainly there will be more runs than Tuesday, but 8.5 seems a bit high with these pitchers.
Also, the Under has hit in 5 of the Rays last 7 games when they hold their opponent to 2 runs or less runs in their previous game. And the Cubs are 3-1-1 toward the Under in their last 5 games when the O/U was set above 9.
LEAN UNDER 8.5 (+100).
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Ethan Matthew on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]