Data Skrive:
The Chicago Cubs (33-35) and the Tampa Bay Rays (32-36) meet in the rubber match of a three-game series on Thursday at 6:50 PM ET. The Cubs are -115 favorites on the moneyline to win the series over the Rays (-104). Chicago’s Justin Steele and Tampa Bay’s Taj Bradley have been named the starters for this contest.
Take a look at our betting preview for this game, and uncover all of our MLB betting picks, too!
Money Line
Bet $20, Payout $37.39
Cubs to win vs Rays -115
Cubs vs. Rays Betting Lines
- Favorite: Cubs (-115)
- Underdog: Rays (-104)
- Over/under: 8
Cubs vs. Rays Betting Insights
- The Cubs have been chosen as favorites in 27 games this year and have walked away with the win 15 times (55.6%) in those games.
- This season Chicago has come away with a win 15 times in 27 chances when named as a favorite of at least -115 on the moneyline.
- The moneyline set for this matchup implies the Cubs have a 53.5% chance of coming away with a victory in the contest.
- The Rays have won 39.1% of the games this season they were the moneyline underdog (9-14).
- Tampa Bay is 6-13 (winning only 31.6% of its games) when playing as a moneyline underdog of -104 or longer.
- The implied moneyline probablility in this matchup gives the Rays a 51% chance to win.
Cubs vs. Rays Hitting Leaders
- Christopher Morel leads Chicago in home runs with 13 and runs batted in with 40.
- Of all MLB hitters, Morel is 143rd in batting average, 82nd in on-base percentage, and 88th in slugging.
- Cody Bellinger is batting .267 to lead Chicago, while adding nine homers and 32 runs batted in this season.
- Isaac Paredes has racked up a team-high batting average of .291, and paces the Rays in home runs (10) and runs batted in (38).
- In all of MLB, Paredes is 45th in home runs and 32nd in RBI.
- Yandy Diaz has 12 doubles, a triple, four home runs and 26 walks while hitting .257.
Cubs vs. Rays Pitching Rankings
- The Cubs average 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings as a pitching staff, fourth-most in the league.
- The Cubs have pitched to a 3.93 ERA this season, which ranks 15th in baseball.
- Cubs pitchers have a 1.291 WHIP this season, 21st in the majors.
- The Rays pitching staff is 12th in MLB with a collective 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings.
- Tampa Bay’s 4.38 team ERA ranks 25th across all MLB pitching staffs.
- The Rays average baseball’s 17th-ranked WHIP (1.275).