Chicago Cubs at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions
The Chicago Cubs (32-34) visit the Tampa Bay Rays (31-35) on Tuesday. First pitch from Tropicana Field is scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Cubs vs. Raysodds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Cubs won 2 of 3 in 2023
The Cubs snapped a 3-game losing streak on Sunday with a 4-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds to cover as -128 road favorites. LF Ian Happ led the way on offense with 3 RBIs in the 1st inning, while LHP Shota Imanaga allowed 2 ER in 6 2/3 innings to pick up his 6th win.
The Rays have lost 4 games in a row after falling 5-2 against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday and failing to cover as +117 home underdogs. C Alex Jackson had the team's 2 RBIs on a HR while RHP Ryan Pepiot allowed 4 ER in 6 IP to take the loss.
Cubs at Rays projected starters
RHP Jameson Taillon vs. RHP Zach Eflin
Taillon (3-2, 3.47 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.36 WHIP, 2.37 BB/9 and 6.39 K/9 in 49 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 5 ER, 10 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 7-6 win against Chicago White Sox Wednesday.
- Career vs. Rays: 3-2, 2.60 ERA (34 2/3 IP, 10 ER), 28 H, 9 BB, 33 K in 6 starts; last outing in 2022
Eflin (3-4, 4.14 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.14 WHIP, 0.57 BB/9 and 6.71 K/9 in 63 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 5-3 win at Miami Marlins Wednesday.
- Career vs. Cubs: 2-1, 2.63 ERA (37 2/3 IP, 11 ER), 39 H, 8 BB, 19 K in 6 starts; last outing in 2023.
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Cubs at Rays odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:46 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cubs +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Rays -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-175) | Rays -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Cubs at Rays picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 5, Cubs 4
Moneyline
BET RAYS (-145).
While Tampa Bay is 4-6 in its last 10 games, they are 1-6 against the Orioles during that span. They have won each of the 3 games against teams outside of Baltimore and have scored 5 or more runs in each of those 3 games. Chicago has lost 4 of its last 5 on the road.
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
There is minimal value on the run line.
Over/Under
BET OVER 7.5 (-115).
The Cubs have hit the Over in 6 of their last 10 games and have scored 4 or more runs in 7 of their last 10 games. The Rays have also hit the Over in 6 of their last 10 games while scoring 4 or more runs in 5 of their last 10. With a lower total, both teams have shown their abilities to hit it with ease.
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