Best Prop Bets for Cubs vs. Rays on Wednesday, June 12

Chicago has been scuffling lately, but there’s a good chance that comes to an end – at least for one night – as it has a big advantage tonight over Tampa Bay. 

The Rays are trotting out Aaron Civale, one of the worst starters in MLB this season, while the Cubs are turning to Javier Assad, an underrated success story in 2024.

That sets us up for a chance to cash in on this matchup in several different ways.

Civale and Assad Prop Bet Odds

Aaron Civale Over 4.5 Hits Allowed: -180

Javier Assad Over 4.5 Strikeouts: -150

Civale HA + Assad Ks parlayed: +160

Odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook

Civale and Assad Props Explained

The best way to play prop bets in MLB is by targeting pitching matchups, and you have a prime opportunity to do so tonight. 

Civale has truly awful stats this season. He’s 2-5 with a 5.51 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.

He’s allowed at least one earned run in EVERY start this year, and he hasn’t gotten much better lately.

That means we’re targeting Civale to continue to stink it up. 

The odds aren’t very enticing for Civale to allow over 4.5 hits, but when you consider he’s allowed 4+ hits in every start this season and 5+ in nine of his last 10, this is one of the best bets on the board.

Unlike Civale, Assad (4-2, 2.74 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) has been on a tear.

He’s struggled a little lately, allowing 5+ earned runs in two of his last three starts, but he’s been a steady – and surprising – source of strikeouts all season. 

He’s struck out 7+ batters in four of his last five starts and the Rays strike out 24th most in MLB (9.04 per game). 

Of course, it’s not a ton of fun betting on wagers with -150 odds or worse, but if you parlay them together, you’re looking at a +160 wager. 

Bonus Pick

If you're looking for another wager, or simply don't want to take pitching props, bet Cubs to win the First 5 Innings at -105 odds.

Chicago has a pitching advantage and the Rays offense has been dormant as of late. Aside from yesterday's 5-2 win over the Cubs (in which they needed a four-run ninth inning), Tampa Bay had scored just seven runs in their previous four games combined.

When you also consider that Randy Arozarena is dealing with a tight hamstring, that makes this an even better bet.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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