MLB Picks: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago Cubs 5/31/23

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago Cubs
Date: Wednesday, May 31st, 2:20 ET
Location: Wrigley Field
TV: MARQ
Money Line: Rays -140/Cubs +118
Total Line: 8.5

Betting Preview

Here’s our betting preview for the upcoming MLB clash between the Chicago Cubs and the Rays on Wednesday, May 31st at Wrigley Field. We provide you with a comprehensive analysis, odds, and predictions to help with your handicapping decision or tail our expert based on the projected lineups and listed starting pitchers.

Betting Odds

Rays vs. Cubs Projected Lineup

	Batting Order	Position
Yandy Díaz	1	1B
Wander Franco	2	SS
Harold Ramírez	3	DH
Randy Arozarena	4	LF
Isaac Paredes	5	3B
Taylor Walls	6	SS
Manuel Margot	7	RF
Christian Bethancourt	8	C
Jose Siri	9	CF
Zach Eflin	–	SP




	Batting Order	Position
Nico Hoerner	1	SS
Dansby Swanson	2	SS
Ian Happ	3	LF
Seiya Suzuki	4	RF
Mike Tauchman	5	CF
Christopher Morel	6	CF
Matt Mervis	7	1B
Patrick Wisdom	8	3B
Tucker Barnhart	9	C
Justin Steele	–	SP




Straight Up/Over-Under/ Runline Record

Tampa Bay Rays: 39-18 SU / OU 34-20 / Runline 32-25
Chicago Cubs: 24-30 SU / OU 29-24 / Runline 29-25

Against the Cubs, the Rays are looking to shake a two two game losing streak. Yet, their record of 39-18 is stil good for 1st in the AL East. At home, Tampa Bay has gone 26-6 and 13-12 on the road. So far, their overall series record is 12-4.

• The Rays have four straight losses vs. the runline and have a season-long run margin of 2.1.
• The Rays have been favored in 87.7% of their games and have runline records of 19-13 and 13-12 at home and on the road, respectively
• The over has hit in 63% of the Rays’ 57 games at 34-20.

On a record of 24-30, the Cubs are 4th in the NL Central. Currently, they are four games out of the division lead. Against the Rays, they will be seeking their 3rd straight win. On the road, they have a record of 9-15 while going 15-15 at home. Chicago’s overall series record is 7-9.

• The Cubs have covered the runline in two straight games and have a season-long run margin of 0.1.
• The Cubs have been favored in 50.0% of their games and have runline records of 16-14 and 13-11 at home and on the road, respectively
• The over has hit in 55% of the Cubs’ 54 games at 29-24.

Pitching Matchup




Across nine appearances, Zach Eflin has a slugging percentage allowed of .397 and enters with a WHIP of 1.02. His overall record is 7-1 on an ERA of 3.17. For the season, he has a total of 52 K’s, and is averaging 1.0 strikeouts per nine innings. Eflin’s record on the road is 1-1 and 6-0 at home. This includes an ERA of 5.20 (road) and 2.21 (home), respectively.

Zach Eflin earned a win and a quality start in his previous game, leading his team to a 6-3 win over the Blue Jays. He allowed one run and six hits across seven innings.




Starter Justin Steele comes in with an overall record of 6-2 for the Cubs. Having made 11 appearances, his ERA is 2.77 and he has a K/9 figure of 0.9. Additionally, he has a FIP of 2.86 and an OBP of .290.

Justin Steele took the loss after allowing six runs on 10 hits in his previous outing against the Reds. In the game, the Cubs fell 9-0.

Rays vs. Cubs Offense Outlook

The Rays have played 57 games and have an average of 5.9 runs per game, which puts them 2nd in the league. Tampa Bay has hit 101 home runs (1st). Their batting average comes in at .269, while hitting .267 on the road and .259 at home.

Tampa Bay Rays Top Hitters On The Road




Tampa Bay Rays Top Hitters: Last Five Games




With 66 home runs hit so far this season (10th), the Cubs are one of the best home run hitting teams in baseball. They are averaging 4.6 runs per game and have a collective batting average of .253. The team’s slugging percentage is .423 on the road and .382 at home.

Chicago Cubs Top Bats




Chicago Cubs Top Hitters: Last Five Games




Free MLB Pick

The Rays have scored just one runs in the first two game of this series, but they have killed lefties this season. Cubs starter lefty Justin Steele has pitched well this season, but has hit a rough spot allowing five runs in two of his last three starts. Zach Eflin is coming off of one ooff one of his best outings of the season pitching seven frames allowing just one run. He does however, have poor numbers against the Cubs’ lineup with their roster hitting .344 with a .420 OBP. Take the Over 9