The Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays will face off in a pivotal Game 3 showdown on Wednesday night in St. Petersburg, Florida. With both teams sitting at a 5-6 record, the winner will secure the three-game series. This match highlights the competitive spirit of both teams in the early 2023 season.
Matchup Details
The game is scheduled to start at 6:40 p.m. EDT. Colin Rea will take the mound for the Cubs, while Joe Boyle is set to pitch for the Rays.
Pitching Stats
- Colin Rea (Cubs): 0-0 record, 4.26 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 8 strikeouts
- Joe Boyle (Rays): 0-0 record, 3.18 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 13 strikeouts
Recent Performance
Both teams have shown varying degrees of strength in their last ten games, each finishing with a 5-5 record. The Rays boast the fifth-best batting average in Major League Baseball at .260, while the Cubs have a lower average of .219.
Team Statistics
- Rays:
- Last 10 games: 5-5
- Batting average: .243
- ERA: 4.49
- Outscored by: 8 runs
- Cubs:
- Last 10 games: 5-5
- Batting average: .219
- ERA: 3.10
- Outscored opponents by: 14 runs
Key Players
Jonathan Aranda has emerged as a top performer for the Rays, leading the team with three home runs and a slugging percentage of .511. Yandy Diaz has also made significant contributions, achieving 14 hits in 39 at-bats, including two home runs and 10 RBIs over the last ten games.
For the Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong has recorded a double, a home run, and four RBIs. Ian Happ has struggled recently, with eight hits in 40 at-bats and four home runs over the past ten games.
Injury Updates
Injuries have impacted both teams, affecting key players:
Rays Injuries
- Drew Rasmussen: Day-to-day (personal reasons)
- Garrett Cleavinger: 15-Day IL (calf)
- Steven Wilson: 60-Day IL (back)
- Edwin Uceta: 15-Day IL (shoulder)
- Gavin Lux: 10-Day IL (shoulder)
- Ryan Pepiot: 15-Day IL (hip)
- Manuel Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Cubs Injuries
- Matthew Boyd: 15-Day IL (biceps)
- Cade Horton: 15-Day IL (forearm)
- Porter Hodge: 15-Day IL (elbow)
- Seiya Suzuki: 10-Day IL (knee)
- Justin Steele: 60-Day IL (elbow)
- Jordan Wicks: 15-Day IL (forearm)
- Shelby Miller: 60-Day IL (elbow)
- Christopher Austin: 60-Day IL (knee)
This Game 3 clash promises excitement as both teams aim for series victory. Fans can expect a competitive matchup as they seek to turn their season around.
