Chicago at Tampa Bay

Javier Assad will make his first start of the season for Chicago after being called up from Triple-A Iowa on Monday. Assad finished 2025 with a 4-1 record and a 3.65 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP. Six Tampa Bay hitters have faced him, and they are 6-for-26 with a homer for a .231 batting average and a .355 on-base percentage. The Rays' bullpen is last in the majors with a 7.34 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP this season, although they have settled down the past three games, which the Rays have won, including 6-4 over the Cubs on Monday. Tampa Bay has lost Drew Rasmussen's first two starts, although the relievers were the culprits, as he has allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits in 10 innings. I'm not confident in the Rays' ability to shut things down just yet. Take the Cubs to win.