Cubs vs Rays: Series Decider

0:00On April 8, Chicago Cubs at 5 wins, 6 losses sit 5th in the National League Central, facing the Tampa Bay Rays at 5 and 6, 3rd in the American League East. Gain time is 6.40pm, Eastern on Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Florida. On the mound, Cubs go with Colin Rea, 0 wins, 0 losses, 4.26 ERA. Rays counter with Joe Boyle, also 0 and 0, 3.18 ERA. Betting line has Cubs as slight favorites at minus 111, Rays minus 108, total runs over under 8. This matchup decides the 3 game series winner, marking the 3rd time these teams clash this season. Rays hold a solid 5th best team batting average at 260 overall, while Cubs shine a 4-1 when they drop 5 or more runs. Top dog stepping up include Rays, Jonathan Aranda with 3 homers and a 5-11 slugging clip. Yandy Diaz is scorching, 14 for 39 lately, with 2 bombs and 10 RBI's over 10 games.

1:04For Cubs, Pete Crow Armstrong brings a double, homer and 4 RBI's, and half ribbing 8 for 40 with 2 doubles and 4 long balls in his last. 10. Both squads went 5 and 5 over their past 10. Rays hitting 243 with a 4.49 ERA, outscored by 8 runs total. Cubs edged opponents by 14 runs on a Stingy 3.10 staff ERA, despite a 2-19 average. Injuries hit hard though, Rays missing arms like Drew Rasmussen day-to-day for personal reasons, plus several on the IL for calves, backs, shoulders, hips and elbows. Cubs dealing with Matthew Boyd's biceps, Sayas Suzuki's knee, and a slew of pitchers sideline by four arms and elbows. Whoever adapts best grabs the W.N. momentum here. I'm Cory with the story. That's your MLB News-Today update, AI-powered and always on.