Andrew Caley
• Senior Betting Analyst
14+ years betting experience
Updated:
Apr 8, 2026 , 01:54 PM ET
• 4 min read
Andrew Caley’s MLB predictions like the Rays hot bats do their thing against Colin Rea and a struggling Cubs bullpen.
Photo By – Reuters Connect. Junior Caminero celebrates a win for Tampa Bay.
The Chicago Cubs’ rotation has already been beaten up this season, which means they’re handing the ball to journeyman pitcher Colin Rea for his first start of the year in the rubber match of this series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Tampa counters with Joe Boyle, who is hoping to be the Rays’ latest reclamation pitching project.
My Cubs vs. Rays predictions and MLB picks break down this interleague matchup with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 pm ET at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, April 8.
Who will win Cubs vs Rays today: Rays (-110)
The Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays enter this rubber match with matching 5-6 records, but I like the home team to improve its record tonight.
The Rays’ lineup, led by Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda, is off to a great start. Tampa Bay ranks sixth in OPS and fifth in wRC+ and gets a solid matchup against the Cubs’ Colin Rea.
The veteran right-hander has pitched to a 4.26 ERA in two relief appearances this season. And if Rea can’t go deep into the game, he hands the ball to a bullpen that ranks next-to-last in xERA.
COVERS INTEL: Current Rays hitters have combined for a .356 xAVG and a .609 xSLG vs. Rea.Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account 
Cubs vs Rays Over/Under pick: Under 8 (-110)
Joe Boyle spent the better part of the last three seasons toiling away with the Athletics, but the Rays saw something in the 26-year-old right-hander, and the early results have been impressive.
Boyle has allowed four earned runs on eight hits while striking out 16 over his first two starts with Tampa.
The Cubs’ bats have been a little slow to get going, ranking 22nd in batting average and 16th in wRC+.
Even though I like the Rays to do some scoring, the Cubs won’t do enough to send this one Over the total.
Andrew Caley’s 2026 Transparency Record
- ML/RL bets: 3-2, +0.7 units
- Over/Under bets: 3-2, +0.8 units
Cubs vs Rays odds
- Moneyline: Cubs -110 | Rays -110
- Run line: Cubs -1.5 (+155) | Rays +1.5 (-185)
- Over/Under: Over 8.0 | Under 8.0
Cubs vs Rays trend
The Cubs have only covered the Run Line in 16 of their last 45 away games for -17.00 Units and a -30% ROI. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Rays.
How to watch Cubs vs Rays and game info
| Location | Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL |
| Date | Wednesday, April 8, 2026 |
| First pitch | 6:40 p.m. ET |
| TV | Marquee, RAYS |
| Cubs starting pitcher | Colin Rea (0-0, 4.26 ERA) |
| Rays starting pitcher | Joe Boyle (0-0, 3.18 ERA) |
Cubs vs Rays latest injuries
Cubs vs Rays weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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