The Tampa Bay Rays will see a familiar face in the opposite dugout on the diamond today when they tangle with ex-manager Joe Maddon and the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a brief two-game series. Sportsbooks opened the Rays as +130 road underdogs for the affair.
- The Cubs are 13-3 SU in their last 16 games at home after consecutive road games.
- The total has gone UNDER in five of the Rays' last six games on the road.
- The Rays are 1-6 SU in their last seven games as a moneyline underdog of 135 or less.
Chris Archer and Jon Lester will get the ball for the Rays and Cubbies, respectively. Archer (6-5, 3.92 ERA) has pitched at least six innings in eight straight starts and 12 of his last 13. The hurler has faced the Cubs only once, in 2014, and proceeded to allow two runs over six innings in a no-decision.
Lester (5-4, 3.69) has notched four straight quality starts heading into this one. The veteran is 13-9 with a 4.08 ERA in 28 appearances vs the Rays, most recently in 2014.
UNDER bettors have been profiting when these teams collide in the Windy City, as the UNDER is 5-1 in their last six meetings in Chicago.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 5.5-1.9 win for the Rays. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago Cubs Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
41-41 Chicago battles the Rays, currently with a 43-41 mark. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Chicago vs Tampa Bay injuries news.
This game puts the Chicago Cubs, most recently No. 9 in OddsShark MLB Power Rankings, up against the Tampa Bay Rays, who rate a No. 12 in the latest survey.
Statistical Matchup
On offense, it's a battle between the Chicago Cubs and its No. 21-rated batting order, averaging 4.56 runs per nine innings, against the No. 10 lineup of the Tampa Bay Rays at 4.83 runs per outing.
Defensively, Tampa Bay features the No. 20-rated defense on the road, allowing 4.95 runs per game. Chicago, meanwhile, comes in at No. 14 at home, scoring 4.76 runs per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Rays were saddled with a loss last time out in Alex Cobb's start, as they lost 7-1 against Baltimore on Sunday at Camden Yards.
The Cubs enjoyed a 6-2 victory at the expense of the Reds on Sunday, with Jake Arrieta throwing 7 innings of 1-hit ball at Great American Ball Park.
- The total has gone OVER in 15 of Tampa Bay's last 23 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games on the road
- Tampa Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
- Chi Cubs is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
- Chi Cubs is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chi Cubs's last 10 games
- Chi Cubs is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Tampa Bay at Chicago, Wednesday, July 5
