Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction, Sunday, September 14, 2025
Use Code WWWC In this Rays at Cubs prediction, the Rays and Cubs wrap up their three-game interleague series on Sunday at Wrigley. The two teams have split the first two games of the series, with the Cubs winning on Friday afternoon and the Rays bouncing back to win on Saturday. The pitching matchup in the series finale will be Rays’ righty Adrian Houser (8-4, 3.11) of the Rays taking on Cubs’ southpaw Shoto Imanaga (9-7, 3.21). The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 PM EST. Read on for more in this Rays/Cubs prediction, and grab our top MLB predictions to increase your bankroll!
Rays chasing a .500 mark
The Tampa Bay Rays are closing out the season in search of a winning record with just 14 games left in the regular season. They dropped the series opener to the Cubs on Friday afternoon, 6-4. On Saturday, the Rays bounced back for a 5-4 win to knot the series at a game apiece heading into Sunday. Catcher Nick Fortes went 2-for-2 after pinch-hitting late in the game and hit the go-ahead home run in the ninth to give the Rays the win.
The Rays are now just two games under .500, with the team fighting for a winning record despite missing out on the playoffs this season. They’ll try to inch closer to a winning mark on Sunday, sending righty Adrian Houser to the hill. Houser is 8-4 on the season in 18 starts, including nine quality starts. He has allowed 103 hits in 107 innings of work and coughed up just eight home runs. He has an ERA of 3.11 and a WHIP of 1.26. He has walked 32 batters and struck out 83. The Rays have won each of Houser’s last five starts. He is just 1-4 in 11 starts, with an ERA of 3.54.
Key Injuries: SP Ryan Pepiot, RP Michael Flynn, 1B Xavier Isaac, RP Mason Englert, and RF Stuart Fairchild are out.
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Cubs reading for playoffs
The Chicago Cubs are well on their way to a playoff spot with just two weeks left in the regular season. They are 84-64 overall and have a comfortable cushion in the wildcard race. The Cubs’ three-game winning streak was snapped on Saturday, dropping a 5-4 decision to the visiting Rays. The Cubs blew leads of 3-0 and 4-3 in the game. Michael Busch and Moises Ballesteros both homered for the Cubs in a losing effort.
The Cubs are a full six games behind the Brewers in the NL Central Division and will likely be setting their sights on the top wildcard spot. They’ll continue their playoff push on Sunday with left-hander Shoto Imanaga on the hill. Imanaga is 9-7 this season in 22 starts, including 12 quality starts. He has given up just 97 hits in 129 innings of work and 24 home runs. Imanaga has an ERA of 3.21 and a WHIP of 0.93. He has walked 23 and struck out 101 on the year. The Cubs have lost three of Imanaga’s last five starts. He has a 4-2 record at home this season in ten starts with an ERA of 3.12.
Key Injuries: RF Owen Caissie and SP Michael Soroka are out.
Rays vs Cubs Pick
Money line Pick for Rays vs. CubsÂ
- Cubs ML (4 units)
The Cubs look for the series win on Sunday against the Rays. They have the right man on the hill in Imanaga. He is 4-2 at home this season in 10 starts. The Rays’ starter, Houser, has been far less effective on the road this season with a record of just 1-4. The Cubs have won three of their last four games and are still hoping to nail down the top wildcard spot in the National League playoffs. That will secure the Cubs the home-field advantage in the opening round. The Cubs are also 38-31 during the day this season. They’ll be highly motivated to close out this series with a win at Wrigley Field.
Take the Cubs with the money line.
Over/Under Pick for Rays vs. CubsÂ
- Under (4 units)
The Cubs have gone under the number in four of their last five games. Starter Imanaga has an ERA of 3.12 at home this season, and the team has gone under the total in each of Imanaga’s last five starts. This one should be tight as well, with Houser sporting an overall ERA of just 3.11 himself. Stick with the trends here and expect a low-scoring game.
Take the Under.
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