Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago Cubs 4/18/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Tampa Bay Rays open a three-game interleague series on the road at Wrigley Field Monday against the Chicago Cubs. Tampa Bay dropped to 4-5 following its 3-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. Tampa Bay left the bases loaded in the top of the ninth in the loss. Tampa Bay has lost each of its last four and is fourth in the American League East, but just one game behind co-leaders the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays.

Wander Franco is batting .378 to lead Tampa Bay and the shortstop has team highs in on-base percentage at .385 and hits with 14. Second baseman Brandon Lowe is the leader in home runs three and first base Ji-Man Choi is the leader in RBIs with seven. On Monday, Tampa Bay will send Ryan Yarbrough to the mound. The left-hander will be making his debut as a starter this season for the Rays.

Chicago dropped to 4-4 following its 9-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Saturday. Patrick Wisdom collected three hits for Chicago including a double that drove in two runs. Jonathan Villar had four hits for the Cubs and three RBIs. Chicago has lost two straight and the Cubs have fallen to second in the National League Central, 1 ½ games behind the first place St Louis Cardinals.

Seiya Suzuki is batting .409 to lead Chicago and the right fielder has team highs in home runs with three, RBIs with 10 and on base percentage at .533. Second baseman Jonathan Villar is the leader in hits with nine. On Monday, the Chicago Cubs will send Kyle Hendricks to the mound. The right-hander is 0-1 with a 7.00 ERA, 11 Ks and 7 BBs.