Chicago Cubs @ Tampa Bay Rays - June 12, 2024

As a former sports statistician, I can’t help but delve into the numbers to uncover hidden trends and insights for this upcoming MLB game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago Cubs. Based on the statistics provided, it seems like an intriguing matchup is in store.

On the pitching side, we have Aaron Civale for the Rays facing off against Javier Assad for the Cubs. Civale has a win-loss record of 2-5 with a 4.4 ERA and averages 8.5 strikeouts per game. On the other hand, Assad boasts a 4-2 record with a 4.0 ERA and averages 8.8 strikeouts per game. While both pitchers have similar strikeout numbers, Assad has a slightly better ERA and win-loss record compared to Civale.

Moving on to the batting stats, the Cubs seem to have a slight edge over the Rays in terms of runs scored per game with 4.3 runs compared to the Rays’ 3.9 runs. However, when it comes to hits and RBIs per game, both teams are quite evenly matched with around 7-8 hits and 3-4 RBIs on average.

In terms of batting average and on-base slugging percentage (OPS), both teams are neck and neck once again. The Cubs have a batting average of .224 and an OPS of 67%, while the Rays have a slightly lower batting average at .230 but a comparable OPS at around 65%. This indicates that both teams have similar offensive capabilities heading into this matchup.

Based on these statistics, my analysis leads me to predict that the Tampa Bay Rays will come out on top against the Chicago Cubs in this game. Despite the Cubs having a slight advantage in runs scored per game, I believe that Civale’s pitching performance combined with the Rays’ solid offensive capabilities will be enough to secure them the victory.

Furthermore, considering that over/under bets are expected to lean towards “over,” we can anticipate an exciting high-scoring game between these two teams. Both offenses seem evenly matched, so we could see plenty of action on the scoreboard throughout the game.

In conclusion, while baseball games can be unpredictable at times, my data-driven analysis points towards a Rays victory in what promises to be an entertaining and high-scoring matchup against the Cubs. Let’s see how these predictions play out on game day!