Chicago Cubs vs Tampa Bay Rays – Series Preview (September 12-14): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4
The Cubs (83-63) had a winning series in Atlanta to get back to 20 games over .500 and assure themselves a winning record in 2025. In fact, Chicago’s 83 wins match the total number of victories they had in both 2024 and 2023. The final two-week sprint to the finish begins with three games against the Rays starting Friday.
Tampa (72-74) has hovered around the .500 mark for most of the season and is still clinging to faint playoff hopes. Offensively, they find themselves right in the middle of the pack with a .716 team OPS that is good enough for 13th best in baseball. The same is true of their home run hitting, with their 166 sitting 15th.
Third baseman Junior Caminero is having a monster year for the Rays with 42 home runs and an .838 OPS. First baseman Yandy Díaz and outfielder Brandon Lowe are dangerous power hitters who are having good seasons.
The story for the pitching staff is remarkably similar to the hitters, with a3.88 team ERA that is 12th best in the league. Tampa’s best starter in 2025 has been Drew Rasmussen, who has an ERA of 2.64 in 139.2 innings.
The Rays’ bullpen has outperformed the rotation, and hard-throwing closer Pete Fairbanks has racked up 25 saves. Garrett Cleavinger and Ian Seymour have been two of the better relievers this season. Tampa was waiting for the Cubs to arrive back in Chicago, having just lost a series to the White Sox at Rate Field.
The North Siders probably aren’t going to catch the Brewers, although it is still possible; they do have a very good chance to earn a home playoff series if they keep winning. The pitching has been excellent, but the cold offense remains the big stumbling block as time to change that before October is running short.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Friday, September 12 at 1:20pm CT on MLB Network and Marquee.
- Saturday, September 13 at 1:20pm CT on Marquee.
- Sunday, September 14 at 1:20pm CT on Marquee.
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | FIP | K/BB |
| 9/12 | Matthew Boyd | 34 | L | 2.92 | 12-8 | 3.44 | 3.92 |
| Shane Baz | 26 | R | 4.94 | 9–11 | 4.46 | 2.88 | |
| 9/13 | Colin Rea | 35 | R | 4.20 | 10-6 | 4.55 | 2.42 |
| Drew Rasmussen | 30 | R | 2.64 | 10-5 | 3.73 | 3.77 | |
| 9/14 | Shōta Imanaga | 32 | L | 3.21 | 9-7 | 4.55 | 4.39 |
| Adrian Houser | 32 | R | 3.11 | 8-4 | 4.21 | 3.60 |
What to Watch For
- Carson Kelly has three home runs in his last three games.
- Nico Hoerner had five hits against the Braves and has the second-highest batting average in the National League.
- The Cubs are 44-28 at Wrigley Field in 2025.
- Seiya Suzuki still isn’t hitting for power, but he did reach base six times against Atlanta.
