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.
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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