Cubs and Rays Open Three-Game Series

Chicago and Tampa Bay look to bounce back in early-season matchup

Apr. 6, 2026 at 5:37pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant blue, red, navy, and powder blue colors.A cubist interpretation of the early-season clash between the Cubs and Rays, capturing the dynamic energy and strategic complexity of their matchup.St. Petersburg Today

The Chicago Cubs (4-5) and Tampa Bay Rays (4-5) will open a three-game series on Monday in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Cubs will send Jameson Taillon to the mound, while the Rays counter with Shane McClanahan. Both teams are looking to turn things around after matching 4-5 starts to the 2026 MLB season.

Why it matters

This early-season series between the Cubs and Rays features two teams aiming to gain momentum and establish themselves in the playoff race. The Rays are looking to build on their 77-85 record from last season, while the Cubs hope to replicate their 92-70 campaign in 2025.

The details

The Cubs will send Jameson Taillon (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound, while the Rays counter with Shane McClanahan (0-1, 3.86 ERA). The Cubs batted .251 as a team last season with a .714 OPS, while the Rays pitching staff averaged 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings while giving up 4.0 runs per game.

  • The three-game series begins on Monday, April 6, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. EDT.

The players

Jameson Taillon

The Cubs' starting pitcher for the series opener, looking to build on his strong spring training performance.

Shane McClanahan

The Rays' starting pitcher, aiming to bounce back after a tough first outing of the season.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are looking to improve on their 92-70 record from the 2025 season and establish themselves as a contender in the National League.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are hoping to build on their 77-85 record from last season and make a push for the playoffs in the American League.

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What’s next

The series will continue on Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 8, with the Rays looking to take the series and the Cubs hoping to even it up.

The takeaway

This early-season matchup between the Cubs and Rays features two teams looking to establish themselves as contenders in their respective leagues. The outcome of this series could set the tone for the rest of the season for both clubs.