Justin Steele seeks his first win of the season on the mound for the Chicago Cubs as they visit the Tampa Bay Rays. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series with a Cubs-Rays prediction and pick.
Cubs-Rays Projected Starters
Justin Steele vs. Taj Bradley
Justin Steele (0-3) with a 3.65 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP
Last Start: Last time out, Steele went seven innings, giving up three runs, but just one earned. He would also allow five hits and a walk, but strike out seven. Still, he took the loss to the Reds.
2024 Road Splits: Steele has been solid on the road this year. He is 0-1 in four starts but has a 3.18 ERA, and opponents are hitting just .207 against him.
Taj Bradley (1-4) with a 5.17 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP.
Last Start: Last time out, Bradley went just five innings, giving up three hits and a walk. One of the hits would be a solo home run, resulting in him taking the loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
2024 Home Splits: Bradley has made four starts at home, going 0-3, but with just a 2.74 ERA and opponents hitting just .169 off of him.
Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Cubs-Rays Odds
Chicago Cubs: -1.5 (+136)
Moneyline: -116
Tampa Bay Rays: +1.5 (-164)
Moneyline: -102
Over: 8 (-105)
Under: 8 (-115)
How to Watch Cubs vs. Rays
Time: 6:50 PM ET/ 3:50 PM PT
TV: MARQ/BSSUN
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Cubs Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Cubs are 16th in the majors in runs scored, while sitting 25th in batting average, 13th in on-base percentage, and 20th in slugging. Christopher Morel has led the way this year. He is hitting just .208 this season but has a .318 on-base percentage. Morel has 13 home runs and 40 RBIs while also scoring 33 times. This gives him the team lead in home runs, RBIS, and the second most in runs scored. Ian Happ is also having a solid year. Happ is hitting .218 on the year with a .318 on-base percentage. Happ has 14 doubles and six home runs, leading to 30 RBIs. He has also scored 31 times this year.
Ian Happ has struggled at the plate but is producing. He is hitting just .091 in the last week, but he has stolen three bases, and driving in four runs. Meanwhile, Christopher Moral has also been solid in the last week. He is hitting .273 this week with two home runs and three RBIs. He has also scored five times. Finally, Dansby Swanson has been hot in the last week. He is hitting .391 in the last week with a home run and two RBIs. He has also scored three times.
Current members of the Cubs have just 11 career at-bats against Taj Bradley. That is spread over five different players, with Nico Hoerner, Seiya Suzuki, and Mike Tachuman all having hits in their at-bats against Bradley.
Why The Rays Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Rays are 26th in the majors in runs scored this year while sitting 20th in batting average, 20th in on-base percentage, and 28th in slugging. Isaac Paredes leads the way this year. He is hitting .287 on the year with a .369 on-base percentage. He leads the team with ten home runs and 37 RBIs while scoring 27 times. Yandy Diaz is also playing a great this year. He is hitting .258 with a .328 on-base percentage. He has four home runs and 29 RBIS while scoring 25 times. The Rays also get production from Jose Caballero. Caballero has hit .254 this year but has 22 stolen bases. He has driven in 19 runs and scored 29 times.
Brandon Lowe has been great in the last week. He is hitting .211 in the last week with a .286 on-base percentage. Further Lowe has a home run and five RBIs while scoring three times. Issac Paredes has also been hot in the last week. He is hitting .211 with a run and three RBIs. Randy Arozarena is also starting to hit better. He has just one RBI in the last week and two runs scored, but he is hitting .278 with a .500 on-base percentage in the last week.
Current Rays have 17 career at-bats against Taj Bradley. Yandy Diaz is one for two with a double and a walk, while Brandon Lowe is one for three with the only RBI against Bradley.
Final Cubs-Rays Prediction & Pick
Justin Steele does not have a win yet this year, but he has been the better pitcher in this match-up. Further, the Cubs have the better offense in this one. Some bats are struggling, but overall, they are the better team. Take the Cubs to get the win on the road in this one.
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Final Cubs-Rays Prediction & Pick: Cubs ML (-105)