Chicago Cubs vs. Tampa Bay Rays Game Preview: Early Season Rivalry and Key Matchups The Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays are set to face off for the first time this season on Monday, April 6, at 3:10 CT. This matchup marks the earliest date in the Cubs’ history for a game against the Rays, surpassing the previous earliest meeting on April 18, 2022, at Wrigley Field. The Rays’ last visit to Chicago was June 11, 2024, and the Cubs’ first games against the Angels and Guardians this season also set new early-season records for those rivalries. The Cubs’ recent performance against the Rays has been mixed, with the team losing three of their last four games against them. Notably, the Cubs have struggled to convert three-homer games into wins, losing the last three such contests. The most recent loss occurred in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians on March 29, where the Cubs fell 6-5 despite hitting three home runs. Prior to that, the Cubs had a strong record in three-homer games, winning 16 of 19 contests since Sept. 30, 2023. The Cubs split their doubleheader against the Guardians on Sunday, ending a long drought since their last road doubleheader sweep on Sept. 11, 2015, at Philadelphia. The team has also excelled in base-stealing, recording eight stolen bases without being caught this season, a feat unmatched by any other MLB team. The pitching matchup features Jameson Taillon for the Cubs and Shane McClanahan for the Rays. Taillon, making his 2026 season debut, struggled in his first start, walking four batters and failing to complete the fifth inning. However, his performance was a marked improvement over his Spring Training struggles. Taillon’s last appearance against the Rays was on June 11, 2024, when he pitched six shutout innings, striking out five.#chicago_cubs #tampa_bay_rays #jameson_taillon #shane_mcclanahan #cedric_mullins
