In this article we will formulate a Rays vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Monday, April 6th at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 4-5 this season after they won two out of three against the Twins by scores of 4-10, 7-1, and 4-1. In their game three win, Tampa Bay tied the game at four in the fourth inning, but didn’t score again until the 10th in the extra innings win. The Rays recorded eight hits in the game and they were led by Caminero and Palacios,, who both had two RBIs. Martinez allowed one hit and one earned run over 6.0 innings in the no decision, while Baker got the win and Kelly picked up the save.
This season, Tampa Bay has a 4.71 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and a .219 opponent batting average, while they have scored 45 runs with a .265 batting average and a .342 on base percentage. Yandy Diaz has led the Rays with two home runs and 10 RBIs, while Jonathan Aranda has added two home runs and seven RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Shane McClanahan, who is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP over 4.2 innings pitched this season.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Chicago Cubs are 4-5 this year after they lost two out of three against the Guardians by scores of 1-4, 1-0, and 5-6. In their game three loss, Chicago led 3-0 in the sixth inning and 4-3 in the eighth, but they allowed three runs in the bottom of the eighth for the loss. The Cubs recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Happ and Swanson, who both had two RBIs. Imanaga allowed three hits and one earned run over 5.0 innings for a no decision, while Webb allowed three earned runs and was charged with the loss.
This season, Chicago has a 3.53 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and a .211 opponent batting average, while they have scored 37 runs with a .206 batting average and a .304 on base percentage. Ian Happ has led the Cubs with four home runs and seven RBIs, while Dansby Swanson has added one home run and five RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Jameson Taillon, who is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over 4.2 innings pitched this year.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Rays have won each of their last 10 day games at Tropicana Field after going to extra innings.
- The Cubs have lost five of their last six games as road favorites against AL East opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Rays’ last 11 games at Tropicana Field.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six road games.
- The Rays have won the first inning in six of their last seven games as home underdogs.
- The Rays have led after 5 innings in each of their last five games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last eight games as home underdogs.
Why the Chicago Cubs will win
- The Cubs have won each of their last eight day games against American League opponents following a road loss.
- The Rays have lost seven of their last eight games against the Cubs following a win.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine home games against National League opponents following a win.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in eight of their last nine road games against AL East opponents following a loss.
- The Cubs have won the first inning in three of their last four day games against opponents that held a losing record.
- The Cubs have led after 5 innings in each of their last four road games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Cubs have led after 3 innings in 11 of their last 13 day games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
Total Runs Facts
- Seven of the Cubs’ last eight road games against AL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Seven of the Rays’ last eight day games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last nine games at Tropicana Field.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last five games.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Yandy Diaz has hit a home run in three of the Rays’ last four games as underdogs against NL opponents.
- Shane McClanahan has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his eight previous appearances in day games against teams that held a losing record.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances in day games.
- Shane McClanahan has recorded a win in five of his last six home appearances against NL opponents.
- Yandy Diaz ranks T3rd in the league in Hits (15) this season.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Nico Hoerner has recorded two or more hits in each of the Cubs’ last six day games against AL opponents that held a losing record.
- Jameson Taillon has recorded five or more strikeouts in five of his last six appearances against the Rays.
- Jameson Taillon has recorded a win in each of his last eight appearances in day games against teams that held a losing record.
- Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in each of his last three appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Nico Hoerner ranks T2nd in the league in Steals (4) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rays rank T3rd in the league for strikeouts against this season (69).
- The Rays rank T5th in the league for triples this season (2).
- The Cubs rank 29th in the league for hits this season (59).
- The Cubs rank T3rd in the league for hits allowed this season (59).
Rays vs Cubs Prediction
Tampa Bay comes into this matchup after winning two in a row against the Twins and they will be back at Tropicana Field for the first time in a while here. The Rays are starting McClanahan, who allowed two hits and two earned runs against Milwaukee in 4.2 innings in his first outing. Chicago is 1-2 on the road and they are coming off of a series loss in Cleveland. The Cubs are starting Taillon, who threw 4.2 scoreless innings against the Angels in his first start. I think this is a very tough spot for the Cubs, as the crowd support for TB should be solid and McClanahan is the better starter. Take the Rays here.