Tuesday notes…
- WHERE ARE THE RUNS?: The Cubs have scored more than one run in only two of their last 41 innings: a two-run inning Sunday and another yesterday. They have had only one other crooked-number inning in their last 54: five runs last Wednesday. That makes a total of three multi-run innings in their last six games. They had six in their first four games. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
- IT HAPPENED THEN, TOO: The 2007 Cubs started 4-6 and wound up as NL Central champions. Three other times, the team began 4-6 and won 90+ games: 1937 (93), 1912 (91) and 1904 (93).
- THE NICO FILES: Nico Hoerner continues to lead the NL in doubles with five, but the team’s total of 12 doubles ranks tied for 26th in MLB.
- TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Mark Grace’s bases-loaded ninth-inning single gave the Cubs a 5-4 walkoff win over the Dodgers at Wrigley Field. It happened 30 years ago today, Sunday, April 7, 1996.
Cubs lineup:
Rays lineup:
Javier Assad, RHP vs. Mason Englert, RHP
Today was supposed to be Matthew Boyd’s rotation turn, but as you likely know, he went in the injured list yesterday with a bicep strain. Hopefully he won’t be out too long.
With Javier Assad, you know what you’re getting — five, maybe six innings, not too many runs, not too many walks, a lot of ground balls. The latter is fine considering
the Cubs’ excellent infield defense.
His last appearance against the Rays was 2.1 innings of scoreless relief Sept. 14, 2025 at Wrigley Field.
Jake Fraley, a new member of the Rays this year, is 5-for-13 (.385) vs. Assad with a home run.
The pitch chart below for Assad is from 2025, as today will be his first 2026 MLB appearance.
Like the Cubs, the Rays had to pivot from their original starter for today, Drew Rasmussen. Rasmussen is with his wife, awaiting the birth of their first child.
Thus Mason Englert is going to start this game, and he’s likely a opener for a Rays bullpen day. Englert has never faced the Cubs; only a couple of Cubs have ever faced him, including Alex Bregman (2-for-2).
As you can see by the pitch chart below, Englert has a varied selection of pitches, though he doesn’t throw particularly hard. He has appeared three times this year, maxing out at 24 pitches.
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Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network.
Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Rays site Drays Bay. If you do go there to interact with Rays fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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