Rays vs Cubs Prediction 4/8/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Rays vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Wednesday, April 8th 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 5-6 this season after they split the first two games in this series by scores of 6-4 and 2-9. In their game two loss, Tampa Bay allowed the first seven runs in the game, but they scored two in the eighth to avoid the shutout. The Rays recorded six hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Aranda and Vilade, who both had one RBI. Englert allowed seven hits and three earned runs over 3.2 innings for the loss, while Gomez allowed four earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Tampa Bay won two out of three against the Twins, but lost two out of three against the Brewers before that. 

This season, Tampa Bay has a 4.95 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a .231 opponent batting average, while they have scored 53 runs with a .260 batting average and a .333 on base percentage. Yandy Diaz has led the Rays with two home runs and 10 RBIs, while Jonathan Aranda has added three home runs and 10 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Joe Boyle, who is 0-0 with a 3.18 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP over 11.1 innings pitched this season. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 5-6 this year after they won game two by a score of 9-2 in their last game. Chicago jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning and they dominated most of the game for the lopsided win. The Cubs recorded 16 hits in the game and they were led by Ballesteros, who went 2-4 with one home run and three RBIs. Assad allowed one hit and zero earned runs over 5.2 innings for the win, while Maton allowed two earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Chicago lost two out of three against the Guardians, but did win two out of three against the Angels before that. 

This season, Chicago has a 3.56 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and a .215 opponent batting average, while they have scored 50 runs with a .221 batting average and a .311 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 Colin Rea, who is 0-0 with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP over 6.1 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

• The Cubs have lost each of their last four games as favorites following a win.
• The Rays have won four of their last five games as home underdogs against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in 12 of the Rays’ last 13 games at Tropicana Field.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight road games.
• The Rays have led after 5 innings in six of their last seven games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Rays have won the first inning in six of their last seven games as home underdogs.
• The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last eight games as home underdogs.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Rays have lost each of their last six Wednesday games against NL Central opponents.
• The Cubs have won five of their last six road games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight Wednesday home games against National League opponents.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in five of their last six road games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Cubs have led after 3 innings in five of their last six night games against American League opponents.
• The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four night games at Tropicana Field against National League opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Seven of the Rays’ last eight games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Four of the Cubs’ last five games against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last 11 games at Tropicana Field.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last seven games.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts

• Yandy Diaz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 14 Wednesday night appearances with the Rays as underdogs.
• Yandy Diaz has hit a home run in three of the Rays’ last four games as underdogs against NL opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in each of his last three appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last 10 games against AL opponents that held a losing record.

Rays vs Cubs Prediction 

Chicago was able to win game two in this series in blowout fashion, but they have allowed six runs in two of their last three games. The Cubs are 2-3 on the road this year, while the Rays are 1-1 at home. Tampa Bay has won three of their last four games and they have scored 6+ in three of those four. The Rays are starting Boyle, who has been very solid in two starts, while I don’t really trust Rea for the Cubs. Take the Rays to win at home.