Chicago Cubs @ Tampa Bay Rays – Series Preview (April 6-8): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4
The Cubs (4-5) lost two of three to the Guardians after splitting a doubleheader on Easter Sunday. They continue to tread water in the early season as their offense has struggled to get going through nine games. Next up is a trip to the Sunshine State for a matchup with the Rays.
The Rays (4-5) played their first three series on the road as final repairs were made to get Tropicana Field playable again after suffering severe hurricane damage in 2024. They played their home slate at the Yankees’ spring training facility in 2025 and finished with a 77-85 record, well off the pace in the American League East.
Tampa’s pitching was in the middle of the pack last season with a 3.94 ERA that ranked 15th in MLB. The ace of the staff is Drew Rasmussen, who had a 2.76 ERA in 31 starts, and they get a major boost from the return of former All-Star Shane McClanahan from Tommy John surgery.
The bullpen was better than the starting rotation in 2025, sporting a 3.81 ERA that ranked 12th in MLB. Last season’s closer, Pete Fairbanks, is now in Miami, so former Twins reliever Griffin Jax is the new 9th-inning hurler.
The Rays’ offense was also about average with a .714 team OPS that saw them tied for 14th in baseball last season. The two best hitters were third baseman Junior Caminero, who hit 45 homers, and first baseman Yandy Diaz, who went deep 25 times and had an .848 OPS. Outfielder Brandon Lowe is also a significant power threat with 31 dingers in 2025.
The Cubs have talent up and down their lineup, but it hasn’t been clicking yet this season. It’s going to happen at some point on the schedule, and the sooner the better because they really need to start winning more than one game at a time.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Monday, April 6 at 3:10pm CT on Marquee.
- Tuesday, April 7 at 5:40pm CT on Marquee.
- Wednesday, April 8 at 5:40pm CT on Marquee.
Starting Pitchers (2025 numbers)
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | FIP | K/BB |
| 4/6 | Jameson Taillon | 34 | R | 3.68 | 11-7 | 4.45 | 3.63 |
| Shane McClanahan | 28 | L | 3.86 | 0–1 | 3.41 | 1.33 | |
| 4/7 | Matthew Boyd | 35 | L | 3.21 | 14-8 | 3.65 | 3.67 |
| Drew Rasmussen | 30 | R | 2.76 | 10-5 | 3.84 | 3.43 | |
| 4/8 | Colin Rea | 35 | R | 3.95 | 11-7 | 4.11 | 2.89 |
| Joe Boyle | 26 | R | 4.67 | 1-4 | 4.19 | 2.07 |
What to Watch For
- Craig Counsell has not named a replacement for the injured Cade Horton in the rotation, but Rea is the most logical choice.
- McClanahan pitched for the first time in nearly three years last week.
- Nico Hoerner has a .436 on-base percentage so far this season.
- Miguel Amaya is hitting .417 in his first 12 at-bats.
