The Chicago Cubs (84-63) welcome a struggling Tampa Bay Rays (72-75) team to Wrigley Field Saturday afternoon, and this looks like exactly the type of game we need to keep our playoff momentum rolling. With the Rays on a three-game losing streak and our offense firing on all cylinders, we should handle business at home.
Game Details and Viewing Information
When: Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 2:20 PM ET
Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago
TV: Marquee Sports Network (MARQ) and Fox Sports Sun (FDSSUN)
Betting Lines Show Cubs Respect
The oddsmakers favor the home team:
- Cubs Moneyline: -120
- Rays Moneyline: +100
- Run Line: Cubs -1.5
- Total Runs: 8.5
Getting -120 at home against a team that’s 75-72 and struggling? That’s exactly the kind of respect our 84-63 record deserves. We’re 63-32 when favored at these odds (66.3% win rate), which shows we take care of business when we’re supposed to win.
Pitching Matchup: Rea vs. Rasmussen
Cubs: Colin Rea (10-6, 4.20 ERA) makes his 25th start with 104 strikeouts
Rays: Drew Rasmussen (10-5) takes the mound for his 29th start
This matchup feels pretty even on paper, which should favor us at home. Rea has been solid all season with his 10-6 record, giving us the kind of consistent veteran presence we need for a playoff run. His 4.20 ERA isn’t spectacular, but it’s been good enough to keep us in games.
Rasmussen brings a similar profile with his 10-5 record, but here’s the thing – he’s pitching for a team that’s lost three straight and has minimal playoff hopes. Sometimes that lack of urgency shows up in September baseball.
Cubs Offense: Playoff-Caliber Production
Why We Should Feel Confident: Our offense ranks 8th in MLB with 4.9 runs per game and 8th in home runs (197). Meanwhile, we strike out just 7.8 times per game (6th-best in MLB), showing the kind of disciplined approach that wins in October.
Our Weapons:
- Pete Crow-Armstrong: Leading with 28 home runs and providing dynamic speed-power combination
- Nico Hoerner: Team-leading .296 batting average and steady table-setter
- Seiya Suzuki: Clutch hitting with 27 homers and team-high 91 RBIs
- Ian Happ: Veteran presence with .342 OBP and 124 hits
What makes this lineup special is our balance. We don’t rely on one or two guys to carry us – we can hurt you from top to bottom. That depth becomes crucial in late-season games when individual players might be tired.
Rays: Talent But No Urgency
Tampa Bay still has legitimate major league talent, led by Junior Caminero’s monster season (42 HRs, 106 RBIs) and Yandy Diaz’s consistent .290 batting average. But at 72-75 and three games under .500, they’re essentially playing out the string.
That lack of playoff pressure can be dangerous – sometimes teams play loose when there’s nothing to lose. But more often, the team with something meaningful to play for finds an extra gear that makes the difference.
September at Wrigley: Home Field Magic
Saturday afternoon baseball at Wrigley Field in September is what Cubs baseball is all about. The ivy on the walls, the wind patterns we know by heart, the crowd energy building toward October – all of that works in our favor against a visiting team that’s checked out.
We’re 67-40 when favored this season (62.6%), and that number jumps to 66.3% when we’re favored at -120 or shorter. Those trends show we handle expectations well and rarely let down against inferior opponents.
The Playoff Context That Matters
Every game matters when you’re building toward October. We’re not just trying to make the playoffs – we’re positioning ourselves for the best possible seed and home field advantage. These are the games championship teams handle without drama.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is 29-42 as underdogs (40.8%) and specifically 21-26 when getting +100 or better odds. Those numbers suggest a team that struggles when expectations are low and motivation is questionable.
Key Matchup Advantages
**Contact vs. Strikeouts:** We rank 6th in fewest strikeouts per game while Tampa Bay’s pitching ranks 6th in strikeout rate. This creates an interesting battle of approach versus execution.
**Home Run Power:** Both teams can take you deep, but our 197 home runs compared to their 167 suggests we have more consistent power throughout the lineup.
**Bullpen Depth:** Late-season games often come down to relief pitching, and our pen has been more reliable in high-leverage situations.
Why This Game Sets Up Perfectly for Us
- Home field advantage at Wrigley – The atmosphere and familiarity benefit us
- Rays on losing streak – Confidence is fragile in September
- Playoff motivation – We’re playing for something meaningful
- Offensive balance – Multiple ways to score against any pitcher
Saturday Afternoon Baseball at Its Finest
There’s something special about Cubs baseball on Saturday afternoons at Wrigley. The shadows, the crowd, the energy building toward evening – it all creates an atmosphere where magic happens. Against a team that’s already thinking about winter, that environment could be decisive.
Final Prediction from Wrigleyville
This feels like one of those September games where the Cubs remind everyone why we’re a legitimate playoff contender. Rea gives us a quality start, our offense does what it’s done all year, and we send the Rays home with their fourth straight loss.
Sometimes baseball is straightforward – the better team with more motivation playing at home usually wins. That’s exactly what we have here.
Predicted Final: Cubs 7, Rays 4
Best Bet: Cubs -120 moneyline
Value Play: Over 8.5 runs
Player Prop: Crow-Armstrong 2+ hits
It’s September at Wrigley, we’re in a playoff race, and the opposition is reeling. This is exactly the type of game where championship teams separate themselves from the pack.
Go Cubs Go! Time to take care of business and keep building toward October baseball.