Cubs vs. Rays Pick
Are the Chicago Cubs going to extend their win streak to eight games Wednesday night at the Tampa Bay Rays? First pitch is at 7:10PM EST.
Oddsmakers at sports book Bovada.lv have listed the Cubs as a -120 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Rays are a +100 underdog and the over-under is set at 8.
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Drawing the start for Chicago will be Jon Lester (11-7, 4.30 ERA), while Tampa Bay is going with Blake Snell (3-6, 4.25). Lester has a 1.31 WHIP with 169 strikeouts over 165 1/3 innings. He gave up two earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts and four walks over six innings in a 17-5 home win over the Mets his last start. Lester holds a 4.04 ERA in 71 1/3 road innings. Snell has a 1.37 WHIP with 100 strikeouts over 114 1/3 innings. He gave up one earned run on two hits with five strikeouts and two walks over five innings in a 2-1 home win over the Yankees his last outing. Snell carries a 4.24 ERA in 51 innings at home this year.
The Cubs are 84-66 and 38-34 on the road, while Tampa Bay is 73-78 and 38-39 at home. Chicago leads the season series 2-1 and the total has gone over two times.
Tuesday’s game was won 2-1 by the Cubs for their seventh win in a row. Kyle Schwarber hit a solo home run, while Javier Baez was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Mike Montgomery gave up one earned run on one hit with six strikeouts and no walks over six innings to earn the win. Wade Davis registered his 32nd save. Brad Miller had the lone hit for Tampa Bay on a solo home run. Chris Archer took the loss as he allowed two earned runs with six strikeouts over six innings.
The Cubs are flying high right now and now Lester gets to face a lineup that has struggled mightily against left-handed pitching, as evidenced by Montgomery shutting the Rays down Tuesday. Chicago should be able to get a few runs off Snell, leaving the rest up to Lester. We’re taking the Cubs to continue their win streak.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CHICAGO CUBS -120