| MATCHUP | Chicago Cubs | Tampa Bay Rays |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 4-6 | 5-5 |
| Spread | +1.5 -193 | -1.5 159 |
| Moneyline | +109 | -131 |
| Total | Over 7.5 (-115) | Under 7.5 (-105) |
| Where | George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, Florida | |
| When | Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | |
| Time | 06:40 PM EDT | |
| TV | MLB.TV | |
In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, April 7th at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Chicago Cubs are 4-6 this season after they lost game one by a score of 6-4 on Monday afternoon. Chicago led 2-0 in the second inning, but they allowed the next four runs and couldn’t recover for the loss. The Cubs recorded four hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Hoerner, who went 1-4 with two RBIs. Taillon allowed seven hits and three earned runs over 6.0 innings for the loss, 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 3.72 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and a .218 opponent batting average, while they have scored 41 runs with a .199 batting average and a .297 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 Javier Assad, who is making his first appearance of the season.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 5-5 this season after they won game one in this series by a score of 6-4 on Monday. Tampa Bay had their lead cut to 4-3 in the sixth inning, but they added two runs in the seventh to seal the win. The Rays recorded nine hits in the game and they were led by Mullins and Aranda, who both had two RBIs. McClanahan allowed one hit and two earned runs over 4.0 innings in the no decision, while Kelly picked up the win and Baker got the save. 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 4.64 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP and a .211 opponent batting average, while they have scored 51 runs with a .266 batting average and a .338 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 nine RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Drew Rasmussen, who is 0-0 with a 1.80 ERA and a 0.70 WHIP over 10.0 innings pitched this season.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Rays have won each of their last five games at Tropicana Field.
- The Cubs have lost each of their last five road games after playing the previous day.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 road games.
- The home team has covered the run line in each of the Cubs’ last five games.
- The Rays have led after 5 innings in four of their last five home games.
- The Cubs have trailed after 3 innings in seven of their last nine games as underdogs.
Why the Chicago Cubs will win
- The Rays have lost five of their last six games as home favorites after playing the previous day.
- The Cubs have won seven of their last 10 games as road underdogs against AL East opponents following a loss.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight home games against National League opponents following a home win.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in six of their last seven night games against AL East opponents following a loss.
- The Cubs have led after 5 innings in six of their last eight night games against AL East opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Rays’ last five games as favorites against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Five of the Cubs’ last six road games against AL East opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last six games against American League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last six night games at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Yandy Diaz has hit at least one home run in three of his last seven home appearances against NL opponents.
- Yandy Diaz has recorded two or more hits in 10 of his last 11 Tuesday appearances against NL teams that held a losing record.
- Drew Rasmussen has recorded five or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances against NL opponents.
- Yandy Diaz ranks 5th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.405) this season.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Carson Kelly has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six appearances against the Rays.
- Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in each of his last two road appearances.
- Ian Happ ranks T3rd in the league in Home Runs (4) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rays rank 5th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.342).
- The Rays rank 6th in the league for hits this season (86).
- The Cubs rank 27th in the league for doubles this season (10).
- The Cubs rank T4th in the league for steals this season (9).
Cubs vs Rays Prediction
Tampa Bay was able to get the win on Monday in their first game back at Tropicana Field and they have won three in a row. The Rays are 1-0 at home this year, while the Cubs are 1-3 on the road. Chicago has lost three of their last four games and they have allowed 12 runs in their last two. The Cubs are going with Assad, who is very inconsistent, while Rasmussen has been very solid through two starts. Take the Rays to get another win here.