Rays vs Cubs Live: Start Time, Pitching Matchups & Key Storylines for the September 12, 2025 Wrigley Showdown

CHICAGO – Two teams with very different postseason agendas collide this afternoon when the Tampa Bay Rays open a three-game interleague set against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field (2:20 p.m. ET, Marquee Sports Network/Fox Sports Sun). The Cubs (83-63) sit one game behind Milwaukee in the NL Central, while the Rays (72-74) need a late surge to stay alive in the AL Wild-Card picture. Shane Baz (9-11, 4.94 ERA) takes the mound for Tampa Bay opposite left-hander Matthew Boyd (12-8, 2.92 ERA). Baz has struggled away from Tropicana Field (5.47 road ERA), but the Rays hope his high-octane four-seamer can neutralize Chicago’s left-heavy lineup. Boyd, meanwhile, has surrendered only three homers in his last seven starts and owns a 0.96 WHIP since the All-Star break, making him a legitimate Cy Young dark horse. Key matchups to watch • Isaac Paredes vs. Matthew Boyd – Paredes leads Tampa with 32 HR and a .927 OPS against southpaws. Boyd will try to bury his slider under the zone to induce weak contact. • Pete Crow-Armstrong vs. Shane Baz – Chicago’s dynamic center fielder is two steals shy of a 30-30 season, but Baz’s 30 percent strikeout rate could keep him off the bases. • Bullpen battle – The Rays’ relief corps ranks fourth in MLB in K/9 (10.8), while the Cubs are sixth in save percentage (78 %). Late-inning execution could decide the opener. How to watch & stream • TV: Marquee (CHI), Bally Sports Sun (TB) • Streaming: MLB.tv (out-of-market), Fubo, DirecTV Stream • Radio: 670 The Score (Cubs), WDAE 620 AM (Rays) Betting odds & pick Chicago opened as a –155 money-line favorite, with the over/under set at 8.0 runs. Given Boyd’s recent dominance and a brisk 14-mph crosswind projected off Lake Michigan, the under looks appealing. Prop bettors might target Nico Hoerner (Cubs) to record a stolen base; Tampa catchers have thrown out just 17 % of runners in 2025. What’s at stake • Cubs: A series win could vault them into first place before next week’s pivotal trip to Pittsburgh. • Rays: Dropping further below .500 would slice their playoff odds to single digits, putting added pressure on Saturday’s Drew Rasmussen–Colin Rea matchup. Stat of the day Chicago is 24-18 against left-handed pitching but only 7-10 when facing right-handers who average 96 mph or higher, as Baz does with his fastball. Injury notes Tampa activated outfielder Josh Lowe (oblique) this morning; he’ll serve as DH and bat sixth. The Cubs remain without All-Star shortstop Dansby Swanson (left ankle sprain), though manager Craig Counsell hinted Swanson could return for Sunday’s finale. Bottom line With autumn winds swirling at Wrigley and playoff races tightening, every pitch matters. If Boyd stays sharp and Chicago’s bullpen holds, the Cubs can keep pace in the NL Central. But a Rays upset behind Baz and a power burst from Paredes would flip the narrative and keep Tampa’s faint postseason hopes flickering.