The Cubs continue their early-season interleague tour through American League divisions. They began with an AL West club (Angels), played an AL Central team (Guardians) over the weekend, and now it’s an AL East matchup with the Rays, who come into this series with the same record as the Cubs — 4-5. But Tampa Bay has played all nine of its games on the road so far, scheduled that way to make sure the renovated Tropicana Field was ready to go. The Rays will be the last of MLB’s 30 teams to play their home
opener this year.
As you likely know, BCB’s Ashley MacLennan also writes for the SB Nation Rays site DRays Bay. Here’s Ashley with some comments on the Rays for us.
The start of the 2026 season hasn’t really gone the way the Rays had hoped, though of course the very small sample size is at play. One of the highlights of the season so far, though, has been the return of Shane McClanahan, the All-Star pitcher the Rays had to live without for two seasons. In his one start this year against Milwaukee he looked really good, despite the Rays not being able to get much run support to get him the win.
Drew Rasmussen has also had a good start to the year so he’ll be a pest to Chicago bats. The fielding for the Rays has been a difficulty so far, with plenty of errors and inconsistent results. They’ll hopefully get their feet under them soon, but right now they’ve had struggles with keeping game leads and providing their pitching staff run support when needed.
Chandler Simpson, as always, will be one to watch out for if he gets on base, as he has incredible speed and great steal instincts and he’s not afraid to be aggressive.
Fun facts
The Cubs have played only 25 previous games against the Rays. They have played fewer against only one current team: 24, vs. the Athletics. They also have played 25 vs. the Orioles.
The Cubs are 11-14 overall against the Rays, but only 2-6 at Tampa, where they lost three straight in 2008, split two games in 2017 and went 1-2 in 2024. Last year, the Cubs won two of three at Wrigley Field.
…
This will be the Cubs’ third consecutive series against an American League team, their longest such stretch of the season.
(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
Probable pitching matchups
Monday: Jameson Taillon, RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.286 WHIP, 4.47 FIP) vs. Shane McClanahan, LHP (0-1, 3.86 ERA, 1.071 WHIP, 3.40 FIP)
Tuesday: Matthew Boyd, LHP (1-1, 6.75 ERA, 1.179 WHIP, 1.90 FIP) vs. Drew Rasmussen, RHP (0-0, 1.80 ERA, 0.700 WHIP, 4.08 FIP)
Wednesday: Colin Rea, RHP (0-0, 4.26 ERA, 1.421 WHIP, 3.18 FIP) vs. Joe Boyle, RHP (0-0, 3.18 ERA, 0.882 WHIP, 1.68 FIP)
NOTE: Colin Rea is not officially listed as the Wednesday starter as of the time this series preview posted, but it does seem likely that he’ll be the guy on Wednesday.
Times & TV channels
Monday: 3:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Tuesday: 5:40 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Wednesday: 5:40 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Prediction
I keep saying “two of three” and at some point, I’m going to be right. Maybe this time.
Up next
The Cubs have Thursday off, then return to Wrigley Field for a three-game series against the Pirates beginning Friday afternoon.
