Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago Cubs Prediction 6-12-24 Picks

The Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays square off Wednesday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this Game. Here’s a Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago Cubs Prediction.

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Chicago Cubs will send out Javier Assad for the start here and Assad is 4-2 with a 2.74 ERA and 68 strikeouts this season. This will be Assad’s first career start against the Rays. The Tampa Bay Rays will start Aaron Civale in this one and Civale is 2-5 with a 5.51 ERA and 68 strikeouts this season. In his career, Civale is 0-0 with a 1.62 ERA and 10 strikeouts against the Cubs.

Chicago Cubs Recap

The Chicago Cubs will be out to bounce back after starting the series with a 5-2 loss at the hands of the Rays in Tuesday’s series opener. The loss wasn’t what the Cubs needed as they’re still reeling from a series loss in a four-Game set against the Reds from this past weekend.

Cubs Still Looking For Answers Offensively

Entering Tuesday’s opener, Cody Bellinger leads the Cubs with 54 hits including 11 doubles, 8 home runs and 29 RBIs. Nico Hoerner has 53 hits, 13 doubles and a .252 batting average while Christopher Morel has a team-high 12 home runs and 39 RBIs. Michael Busch has 8 homers with 23 RBIs but also has the unfortunate distinction of leading the Cubs with 73 strikeouts as well this season.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won six of their last seven games as underdogs against AL East opponents following a loss.
• The Rays have lost four of their last five games as favorites against the Cubs following a win.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last seven games as underdogs against AL East opponents following a loss.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games at Tropicana Field.
• The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last six games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
• The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five games as favorites against NL Central opponents.

Tampa Bay Rays Recap

The Tampa Bay Rays will look to build on Tuesday’s triumph over the Cubs, which was definitely needed after falling flat in their four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend.

Rays Hoping To Pick It Up To Climb Back In AL East

Going into Tuesday’s matchup, Isaac Paredes leads the Rays across the board with 65 hits, 10 home runs, 37 RBIs and a .288 batting average as well as a .371 OBP with 13 doubles. Yandy Diaz has 65 hits with 12 doubles while Jose Caballero has a team-high 22 stolen bases. Randy Arozarena has 8 home runs and 20 RBIs along with a team-high 70 strikeouts and 7 stolen bases.

Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win

• The Rays have won each of their last seven night games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Cubs have lost each of their last five games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
• The Rays have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 night games against National League opponents.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five night games against teams that held a losing record.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago Cubs Prediction

I’m on the under here. I’m not an Aaron Civale fan, but he’s pitched far better at Tropicana Field this season and I think this Game on Wednesday will be no different against a Cubs team that’s clearly having some issues offensively. On the other side, Assad’s been fantastic for much of the year, and more often than not gives the Cubs solid innings and a chance to comPete whenever he takes the mound. I think a low-scoring duel is ensuing here, so give me the under.