The Chicago Cubs look to take the rubber game of their three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon at Wrigley Field.

Yesterday, Chicago took a 4-3 lead with a Michael Busch solo shot in the bottom of the seventh. But the Rays responded late, tying the game in the eighth on a Junior Caminero home run off Porter Hodge — his third blown save of the year — before Nick Fortes delivered the go-ahead homer in the ninth against Brad Keller. The Cubs’ bullpen collapse sealed a 5-4 defeat.

The loss dropped the Cubs 6.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. Still, they hold a comfortable lead atop the NL Wild Card race, nine games clear of the San Francisco Giants, who trail the New York Mets by half a game for the final Wild Card slot.

It wasn’t all bad news for the Cubs. Rookie Moises Ballesteros belted his first big league home run yesterday. He’s now 3-for-7 with a triple along with that homer since being called up this month. He bats cleanup today.

Shota Imanaga takes the ball for the Cubs. The left-hander is 9-7 with a 3.21 ERA and coming off a stellar August where he posted a 2.65 ERA across five starts, including three straight outings of seven innings. His performance has dipped a bit in September, allowing three runs in each of his two six-inning starts.

Adrian Houser (8-4, 3.11 ERA) starts for Tampa Bay. Since being acquired from the White Sox at the deadline as part of their Wild Card push, Houser has been inconsistent, going 2-2 with a 4.93 ERA. He faced the Cubs earlier this season while with Chicago’s South Side club, giving up three runs in 6.2 innings.

Predictions

With Shota Imanaga giving the Cubs steady innings and Adrian Houser still adjusting with Tampa Bay, Chicago has a slight edge at home. If their bullpen avoids another late stumble, they should be able to take the series.

Prediction: Cubs 4, Rays 3

Starting Lineups

Tampa Bay Rays

1. Yandy Díaz — DH

2. Junior Caminero — 3B

3. Brandon Lowe — 2B

4. Christopher Morel — LF

5. Nick Fortes — C

6. Josh Lowe — RF

7. Everson Pereira — CF

8. Carson Williams — SS

9. Bob Seymour — 1B

Starting Pitcher: Adrian Houser (RHP) — 8–4, 3.11 ERA

Chicago Cubs

1. Michael Busch — 1B

2. Nico Hoerner — 2B

3. Ian Happ — LF

4. Moises Ballesteros — DH

5. Dansby Swanson — SS

6. Pete Crow‑Armstrong — CF

7. Willi Castro — RF

8. Reese McGuire — C

9. Matt Shaw — 3B

Starting Pitcher: Shota Imanaga (LHP) — 9–7, 3.21 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: Sunday, September 14, 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