The Chicago Cubs continue their series with the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon at Wrigley Field, looking to extend their three-game winning streak.

The Cubs remain 5.5 games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers, who also won yesterday. While the NL Central crown looks increasingly out of reach, Chicago continues to strengthen its hold on the top Wild Card spot.

The San Diego Padres and New York Mets sit in second and third place in the Wild Card race, but both lost yesterday. The Cubs now hold a 4.5-game cushion over the Padres and a nine-game lead over the San Francisco Giants, who are closing in on the Mets with just half a game separating them.

If the season ended today, the Brewers would earn a Wild Card-round bye as the top seed in the NL, while the Cubs would face the Padres in the best-of-three Wild Card round. A Chicago victory there would set up a divisional showdown with Milwaukee in the NLDS.

As for today’s matchup, Tampa Bay has the advantage on the mound with Drew Rasmussen. The 2025 All-Star is 10–5 with a 2.64 ERA, and he’s been even sharper in his last seven starts with a 1.83 ERA.

Rasmussen, who has undergone two Tommy John surgeries and an internal brace procedure, has not pitched more than six innings in any start this season, with the Rays continuing to carefully manage his workload. That will put at least three innings in the hands of the Rays’ capable bullpen.

Colin Rea takes the ball for Chicago. He’s 10–6 with a 4.20 ERA, coming off a solid outing against the Nationals in which he allowed just one run over 5.1 innings. But Rea has struggled against stronger lineups, including giving up six runs to the Giants last month, raising questions about how he’ll handle Tampa Bay’s big bats, including Junior Caminero, who comes into today with 42 home runs.

Predictions

While the Cubs’ enter with momentum, the Rays have the clear edge with Rasmussen starting. Expect Tampa Bay’s bullpen to finish the job after another quality outing from their ace.

Prediction: Rays 5, Cubs 3

Starting Lineups

Tampa Bay Rays

1. Chandler Simpson — CF

2. Yandy Díaz — DH

3. Brandon Lowe — 2B

4. Junior Caminero — 3B

5. Josh Lowe — RF

6. Bob Seymour — 1B

7. Richie Palacios — LF

8. Carson Williams — SS

9. Hunter Feduccia — C

Starting Pitcher: Drew Rasmussen (RHP) — 10–5, 2.64 ERA

Chicago Cubs

1. Michael Busch — 1B

2. Ian Happ — LF

3. Carson Kelly — C

4. Pete Crow‑Armstrong — CF

5. Nico Hoerner — 2B

6. Moises Ballesteros — DH

7. Dansby Swanson — SS

8. Owen Caissie — RF

9. Matt Shaw — 3B

Starting Pitcher: Colin Rea (RHP) — 10–6, 4.20 ERA

How to Watch Rays vs. Cubs

First pitch for this afternoon’s game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs is set for 2:20 PM Eastern / 1:20 PM Central at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

The game airs live on Marquee Sports Network and FanDuel Sports Network Sun.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago Cubs

Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025

First Pitch: 2:20 PM Eastern / 1:20 PM Central

Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

TV: Marquee Sports Network, FanDuel Sports Network Sun

Streaming: MLB.TV