Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago Cubs odds, picks and predictions

The Tampa Bay Rays (39-18) end their 3-game series with the Chicago Cubs (24-30) Wednesday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is at 2:20 ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Cubs lead 2-0

The Rays and Cubs combine to average over 10 runs per game, but this series has been unusual to say the least. The Cubs followed up Monday’s 1-0 victory with a 2-1 win Tuesday and now the Rays are a loss away from being swept for the 1st time this season.

The Cubs bullpen helped seal the victory, allowing 1 hit in 4 innings after RHP Kyle Hendricks showed he has more left in the tank after missing most of the 2022 season with a shoulder injury.

Rays at Cubs projected starters

RHP Zach Eflin vs. LHP Justin Steele

Eflin (7-1, 3.17 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.01 WHIP, 1.2 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 54 innings.

• Last start: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 2 B, 0 K in an 6-3 win vs. the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday
• Has a 1.08 OPS when the batter is ahead in the count and a .451 OPS when he is ahead

Steele (6-2, 2.77 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.10 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 in 65 innings.

• Last start: Loss, 3.2 IP, 5 ER, 10 H, 0 BB, 4 K in a 9-0 loss against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday
• Allowed a total of 2 home runs this season

Rays at Cubs odds

BetMGM Sportsbook;  access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:50 a.m. ET.

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Rays at Cubs picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 4, Cubs 2

The Rays have yet to be swept this season and I’m skeptical it will it come against these Chicago Cubs. Despite not giving up a HR at Wrigley Field this season, Steele allows .260 BA at home versus .209 on the road.

BET RAYS -135.

Before this series the Cubs lost 10 of their 12 one-run games this season. If the Rays win this game, it’s more likely than not that their margin will be greater than 1 run. I like the spread to boost the odds.

RAYS -1.5 (+120).

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After 2 low-scoring games, I like the Under again. Certainly there will be more runs than Tuesday, but 8.5 seems a bit high with these pitchers.

Also, the Under has hit in 5 of the Rays last 7 games when they hold their opponent to 2 runs or less runs in their previous game. And the Cubs are 3-1-1 toward the Under in their last 5 games when the O/U was set above 9.

LEAN UNDER 8.5 (+100).

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