Chicago Cubs vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction MLB Picks 6/13/24

The Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays square off Thursday 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 Chicago Cubs vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction.

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Chicago Cubs will start Justin Steele here and Steele is 0-3 with a 3.65 ERA and 43 strikeouts this season. In his career, Steele is 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA and 2 strikeouts against the Rays. The Tampa Bay Rays will start Taj Bradley in this one and Bradley is 1-4 with a 5.17 ERA and 39 strikeouts this season. This will be Bradley’s second career start against the Cubs.

Chicago Cubs Recap

The Chicago Cubs come into this one looking to win the series after evening up the set at one win apiece after a 4-3 win over the Rays in Wednesday’s matchup. The win gives the Cubs a chance to bounce back from their series loss to the Reds last weekend with a series against the rival St. Louis Cardinals on deck.

Cubs Still Trying To Find Their Groove Offensively

Cody Bellinger leads the Cubs with 58 hits including 12 doubles, 9 home runs and 32 RBIs. Nico Hoerner has 54 hits, 13 doubles and a .252 batting average while Christopher Morel has a team-high 13 home runs and 40 RBIs. Michael Busch has 8 homers with 23 RBIs but also has the unfortunate distinction of leading the Cubs with 74 strikeouts as well this season. Ian Happ also has a team-high 14 doubles with 6 home runs and 30 RBIs.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The road team has won eight of the Rays’ last nine games.
• The Rays have lost five of their last six games.
• The Rays have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games at Tropicana Field.
• The road team has covered the run line in eight of the Rays’ last nine games.
• The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five games as underdogs.

Tampa Bay Rays Recap

The Tampa Bay Rays will look to bounce back after their loss to the Cubs in Wednesday’s clash. The loss put the Rays at risk of another series loss after being swept by the Baltimore Orioles this past weekend with a road series against the Atlanta Braves up next.

Rays Having Offensive Issues Of Their Own

Isaac Paredes leads the Rays across the board with 68 hits, 10 home runs, 38 RBIs and a .291 batting average as well as a .371 OBP with 14 doubles. Yandy Diaz has 68 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 Cubs have lost each of their last eight road games following a win.
• The Rays have won four of their last five games as home underdogs against National League opponents.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 12 games following a win.
• The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last five night games against National League opponents following a loss.
• The Cubs have lost the first inning in three of their last four games as road favorites against AL East opponents.
• The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four games as favorites.
• The Cubs have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four games as road favorites against AL East opponents.

Chicago Cubs vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction

I’m on the Rays here. The Cubs just have not been able to buy a win with Justin Steele on the mound, and that’s saying something considering he was one of the better pitchers in the National League last season. I also think Steele’s been a bit lucky with the unearned runs, but the Rays won’t afford him that same luxury here as the Rays have crushed left-handed pitching for the better part of the last couple of weeks and it’s the only thing that’s kept them from going ice cold. I just can’t back the Cubs in this spot. Give me the Rays.