Chicago Cubs vs Tampa Bay Rays Betting Pick & Prediction for 4/7

MLB game preview

The Chicago Cubs take on the Tampa Bay Rays in a regular-season MLB game. The game is set for Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Cubs hold a 4-6 record and sit at the bottom of the NL Central, while the Rays have a 5-5 record and are second in the AL East.

The Cubs are managed by Craig Counsell and have been struggling with a two-game losing streak. Javier Assad is the probable starting pitcher for the Cubs, making his first appearance of the 2026 season. The Rays, led by Kevin Cash, are on a three-game winning streak. Drew Rasmussen will be on the mound for Tampa Bay, sporting a 1.80 ERA this season. The game will be broadcast on RAYS TV channel.

Chicago Cubs Team Preview

The Chicago Cubs have had a mix of results in their recent games. They won against the Cleveland Guardians on April 5th with a score of 1-0, thanks to strong pitching by Edward Cabrera. However, they faced losses against the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians in other recent games.

In terms of hitting, the Cubs have a batting average of .199, placing them 27th in the league. Despite this, they have hit 10 home runs, which ranks them 6th. Players like Ian Happ and Matt Shaw have contributed to these home runs in recent games.

The Cubs’ pitching has been a strong point with a team ERA of 3.72, ranking 12th. Their pitchers have kept opposing batters to a .218 batting average, which is 8th best. Javier Assad is expected to pitch next, making his 2026 season debut after a solid 2025 season.

Cubs vs Rays Game Day Info

  • Sport: MLB
  • Teams: Chicago Cubs vs. Tampa Bay Rays
  • Venue: Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL
  • Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Cubs Moneyline +113, Rays Moneyline -135, Cubs Runline +1.5 (-186), Rays Runline -1.5 (+154), Total Over 7.5 (-112), Total Under 7.5 (-108)

Tampa Bay Rays Team Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays have been strong at the plate this season. They hold a team batting average of .266, which ranks them 5th in the league. Their on-base percentage is also 5th at .338, showing their ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities.

Yandy Díaz has been a standout player for the Rays. He has a batting average of .415 and leads the team with 10 RBIs. His presence in the lineup provides a consistent threat to opposing pitchers.

The Rays pitching staff has had mixed results. Their team ERA is 4.74, placing them 24th in the league. However, they excel in limiting opponents’ batting averages, ranking 6th with a .210 average against.

BTB Betting Pick

The Rays are favored on the moneyline at -135, and the Cubs are at +113. The Rays have a strong hitting lineup with a batting average of .266, which ranks 5th. Their pitching has an earned run average of 4.74, ranking 24th. Given the Cubs’ lower batting average of .199, picking the Rays to win is a good choice.

The total is set at 7.5, with the over at -112 and the under at -108. The Cubs’ pitching has an earned run average of 3.72, ranking 12th, while the Rays’ batting is among the top in the league. The projected score is Rays 5, Cubs 3, suggesting a total of 8 runs. Taking the over 7.5 seems reasonable.