Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA

Chicago Cubs vs Tampa Bay Rays: Both teams are struggling lately

The Tampa Bay Rays are hosting the Chicago Cubs at Tropicana Field on Wednesday.

The Cubs are having a tough road trip

The Chicago Cubs are fourth in the NL Central with a 32-35 record. They have lost four of the last five games and came to Chicago after losing the series against the Cincinnati Reds. The Cubs have a 3.94 ERA, a .238 batting average, a .311 on-base percentage, and 1.29 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Cody Bellinger leads the team with 56 hits, Mike Tauchman is on top with 37 runs, and Christopher Morel has 13 home runs.

The Rays are in a difficult spot

The Tampa Bay Rays are at the bottom of the AL East with a 32-35 record. After being swept in a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles, they won 5-2 last night in the opener against the Cubs. Tampa Bay has a 4.42 ERA, a .247 batting average, a .312 on-base percentage, and 1.28 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Yandy Diaz leads the team with 67 hits, Jose Caballero is on top with 29 runs, and Isaac Paredes has 10 home runs.

Betting Trends

The Rays are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games overall, 4-11 SU in their last 15 games at home, and 5-1 SU in their last 6 home games against the Cubs. Tampa Bay has played under the total run line in 4 of their last 5 games against the Cubs and 4 of the last 5 games against teams from the NL Central, while they have gone over in 4 of their last 6 games against teams from the NL. The Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games overall and 1-6 SU in their last 7 games on the road. They have played under the total run line in 4 of their last 5 games overall and 8 of the last 12 games against teams from the AL, while they have gone over in 9 of the last 12 games against teams from the AL East.

Prediction and Conclusion

The Chicago Cubs were hoping to get higher in the NL Central standings when they took on the road trip, but they have come closer to the bottom after losing the opener to the Rays. Tampa Bay has been a tough place to play for them, and they are looking for a change in the scenario today. The Cubs will have Javier Assad on the mound, who is 4-2 for the season with a 2.74 ERA, 68 K, 69 IP, and 1.22 WHIP. On the other side, the Rays will start with Aaron Civale, who is only 2-5 for the season with a 5.51 ERA, 68 K, 67 IP, and 1.36 WHIP. The Rays will not be as good defensively as they were last night, so the Cubs will win this one.