The Tampa Bay Rays host the Chicago Cubs on April 6, 2026. First pitch from Tropicana Field is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on RAYS.
The Rays are favored by -110 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Cubs are -106 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 7.5 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Cubs vs Rays prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Cubs vs Rays Prediction
- Cubs vs Rays Pick: Rays Moneyline (play to -160)
My Cubs vs Rays best bet is on Tampa Bay to win outright. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Cubs vs Rays Odds
| Cubs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +158 | 7.5 -115o / -105u | -106 |
| Rays Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -192 | 7.5 -115o / -105u | -110 |
- Cubs vs Rays spread: Cubs -1.5 (+158), Rays +1.5 (-192)
- Cubs vs Rays over/under: 7.5 (-115 / -105)
- Cubs vs Rays moneyline: Cubs -106, Rays -110
Cubs vs Rays Projected Starting Pitchers
| RHP Jameson Taillon (CHC) | Stat | LHP Shane McClanahan (TB) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-0 | W-L | 0-1 |
| 0.0 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.1 |
| 0.0 / 5.20 | ERA /xERA | 3.86 / 3.32 |
| 4.47 / 5.97 | FIP / xFIP | 3.40 /4.30 |
| 1.29 | WHIP | 1.07 |
| -5.0% | K-BB% | 5.3% |
| 41.7% | GB% | 50.0% |
| 92 | Stuff+ | 106 |
| 93 | Location+ | 81 |
Cubs vs Rays Preview
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Cubs nearly took both legs of a doubleheader against the Guardians, but they fell short in game two. Chicago is now 4-5 and sits in sole possession of last place in the NL Central.
Craig Counsell will hand the ball to veteran right-hander Jameson Taillon. He pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his season debut against the Angels. He was fortunate to allow no runs, as he walked four batters and gave up three hits. Taillon might have a 0.00 ERA, but he has a 5.20 xERA and a 4.47 FIP.
I'm not big on Taillon nowadays. His fastball hovered around 91 mph against the Angels, down from 92 last year, and had a 92 Stuff+ in the game. If Taillon doesn't have pinpoint command and induce weak contact, he can have an ugly game.
That's just the battle with him. He needs some luck in his favor since he strikes out just 6.80 batters per nine.
The Cubs' heavily paid lineup has gotten off to a rocky start. The insertion of Alex Bregman was supposed to add some more punch from the right side, but it hasn't been enough to boost the whole lineup. They have a 95 wRC+, which ranks 17th.
The lack of thump is a real worry thus far. The numbers will change on windy days in Wrigley, but this is a road game in Tampa.
Chicago has just six homers, sitting 27th in MLB. It also ranks 26th in ISO, so it's not just a lack of homers; it's a lack of gap-to-gap power.
In this matchup, the Cubs will need to rely on their plate discipline and small-ball approach. One name to watch is Michael Busch. He cracked 34 homers last year, but just four against lefties. So, since Busch, Ian Happ, and Pete Crow-Armstrong have to face the handedness they struggle against, that's a concern.
I'll buy long-term stock in the Cubs lineup. Bregman will hit better than .214, and a 12% walk rate is sustainable based on this lineup's pedigree. I don't think this particular matchup is favorable, though.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
I came away impressed by Shane McClanahan in his first start since 2023. If he rolled out a clunker, who could blame him? He hasn't pitched in over two years. Instead, the former All-Star pitched scoreless innings against the Brewers before giving up three runs, two hits, and two walks in the fifth.
So, a final line of 4 2/3 innings, two hits, three walks, three runs (two earned), and four strikeouts is just pedestrian. However, the southpaw sat at 95.4 on his fastball and touched 97. He just ran out of steam, which should get better with more outings.
The Rays boast a 114 wRC+, good for seventh in baseball. The scary part is that it includes a shaky start for Junior Caminero, who hit his first homer of the year on Sunday. He's the best pure hitter in this lineup, but Yandy Diaz has carried them through nine games, posting a 240 wRC+ with a .405 average.
Chandler Simpson is also a breath of fresh air. Hitting behind Diaz and Jonathan, Simpson is hitting .382 and strikes out just 6% of the time. He'll put the ball in play and aim to bring in Aranda and Diaz, even if he lacks power.
In general, this Tampa Bay team is lean in the power department if Caminero doesn't hit them. It has just six homers — the same as the Cubs. But Caminero hit 50 last year and could put the Rays in the middle of the pack with his homers alone.
My long-term concern about the Rays is in the bullpen. They let Pete Fairbanks walk, and that choice looks questionable. Griffin Jax is off to a bad start, as is Kevin Kelly. That pair has assumed most of the closing chances, and Kelly notched his second save on Sunday. Plus, southpaw Garrett Cleavinger is on the IL, and he was a presumed late-inning option.
Cubs vs Rays Picks
While getting to the finish line could be tough due to a terrible pen, I can't pass on the advantage in the pitching matchup and lineup here. Taillon is a very fade-worthy arm who could be in for a tough season without more batted ball luck in his direction.
The Rays have a few edges that Chicago simply can't overcome.
Pick: Rays Moneyline (play to -160)
