Cubs are Cashing on the Road Behind Lester

After rattling off seven straight wins and with another NL Central title in sight, the Chicago Cubs seem to be getting hot at the right time. The Cubbies will wrap up a brief two-game interleague series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.

Shark Bites
  • The total has gone OVER in four of the Cubs’ last five games on Wednesday.
  • The total has gone UNDER in 10 of the Rays’ last 11 games when closing out a series.
  • The Cubs are 1-3 SU in their last four games on the road against the Rays.

Sportsbook opened the Cubs as -126 road faves with a total of 8 for the contest.

Jon Lester and Blake Snell are slated to get the start in this one. Lester (11-7, 4.30 ERA) has won three straight outings and recorded quality starts in the last two. The 33-year-old is 13-10 with a 4.22 ERA in 29 starts against the Rays, with the majority coming from his time playing for the Boston Red Sox.

Snell (3-6, 4.25) has won his last three decisions and the Rays have won six of his last eight starts. The hurler faced the Cubs on July 5 at Wrigley Field, where he threw five scoreless innings in a no-decision.

Pitching on the road hasn’t been an issue for Lester of late. In the ace’s last seven away from home, the Cubs are 6-1 SU.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

Betting fans looking to pick the Tampa Bay Rays in this matchup found them as +115 underdogs on the MLB moneyline at Sportsbook. Betting the OVER/UNDER instead? It was 8 at its open earlier today and hovering near that number at Sportsbook.

OddsShark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 3.5-3.1 victory for the Rays. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.

Chicago Cubs vs Tampa Bay Rays Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Tampa Bay Rays sport a record of 73-78 heading into this matchup, while the Chicago Cubs sit at 84-66 on the season. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Tampa Bay vs Chicago injuries news.

This game matches up the No. 21 (Tampa Bay Rays) and the No. 7 (Chicago Cubs) teams, according to our current MLB Power Rankings.

Statistical Matchup

On offense, it's a battle between the Tampa Bay Rays and their No. 27-rated batting order, averaging 4.21 runs per nine innings, against the No. 5 lineup of the Chicago Cubs at 5.09 runs per outing.

Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping betting factors and Tampa Bay has the No. 10-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Cubs own the No. 11 mark in runs allowed.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

The Cubs grabbed a win last time out, defeating Chris Archer and the Rays 2-1 on Tuesday at Tropicana Field.

Betting Trends
  • Chi Cubs is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
  • Chi Cubs is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
  • Chi Cubs is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
  • Chi Cubs is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Tampa Bay
  • Tampa Bay is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
  • Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games
  • Tampa Bay is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home

Next Betting Matchups

Chicago at Milwaukee, Thursday, September 21s
Tampa Bay at Baltimore, Thursday, September 21

The total has gone OVER in four of the Cubs’ last five games on Wednesday.away The total has gone UNDER in 10 of the Rays’ last 11 games when closing out a series.home The Cubs are 1-3 SU in their last four games on the road against the Rays.
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