Baseball is a weird, beautiful game. One day you’re watching a pitcher carve up a lineup like a Thanksgiving turkey, and the next, you’re seeing a backup catcher launch a 410-foot nuke into the left-field bleachers. That was pretty much the vibe during the last Chicago Cubs vs Tampa Bay Rays series at Wrigley Field. Honestly, if you just looked at the box scores, you’d miss the actual story of how these two teams—operating on completely different frequencies—managed to tear the roof off the place (metaphorically, since Wrigley doesn't have one and Tropicana Field is basically a giant warehouse).
The September 2025 series was a microcosm of everything that makes this matchup fascinating. You have the Cubs, a legacy franchise with a payroll that could probably fund a small nation, and the Rays, a team that finds elite talent in the couch cushions of the minor leagues.
The Christopher Morel Factor
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: Christopher Morel. When the Cubs traded him to Tampa Bay, a segment of the North Side fanbase was devastated. Seeing him return to Wrigley in a Rays jersey for the September 12, 2025, game was... surreal.
The air was thick. First inning, runners on, and Morel steps up. You could almost feel the "here we go again" energy from the 38,000+ people in the stands. He didn't just hit a home run; he annihilated a three-run blast that silenced the crowd for a good three seconds. It felt like a revenge script written by a mediocre Hollywood intern. But the Cubs didn't fold.
Matthew Boyd, who has been a revelation for Chicago, settled in after that shaky start. He ended up snagging his 13th win of the season that day. It was a grind. The Cubs chipped away. Ian Happ—who seems to turn into prime Barry Bonds every September—hit his 21st homer. By the time the bullpen slammed the door for a 6-4 win, the Morel home run felt like a distant memory, though it definitely left a bruise.
Why the Rays are a Nightmare to Play
The Tampa Bay Rays don't play baseball; they play a 162-game game of chess. While the Cubs rely on star power and a raucous home crowd, the Rays use guys you’ve never heard of to beat you in ways you didn't expect.
Take the September 13 game. The Cubs were leading 4-3 in the eighth. Junior Caminero—a kid who is basically a walking highlight reel—hit a leadoff homer against Porter Hodge to tie it. Then, in the ninth, Nick Fortes (the backup catcher!) hit a tiebreaking homer. 5-4, Rays.
- Junior Caminero's 43rd HR: He's becoming a legitimate superstar.
- The Bullpen Depth: Bryan Baker and Pete Fairbanks make the late innings feel like a trip to the dentist without novocaine.
- Adaptability: The Rays lost the first game and didn't blink. They just found a different way to win the next one.
The Cubs, meanwhile, are trying to secure home-field advantage for the Wild Card. Every loss feels like a catastrophe in Chicago. In Tampa, a loss is just a data point to be analyzed and corrected. That’s the fundamental difference between these two organizations.
Pitching Finesse vs. Raw Power
When you look at the Chicago Cubs vs Tampa Bay Rays matchup, the pitching philosophies are worlds apart.
Shane McClanahan (for the Rays) is a flamethrower. We're talking 98 mph heaters and sliders that disappear like a magician's assistant. In their earlier encounters, he was racking up double-digit strikeouts like it was nothing. On the flip side, you have guys like Marcus Stroman or Colin Rea for the Cubs, who rely on "craft." It’s about movement, changing eye levels, and making batters look silly on pitches that barely hit 91.
Honestly, watching Rea navigate the Rays' lineup is stressful. You're always one hanging curveball away from disaster. But that’s the beauty of it. The Rays want to optimize every swing; the Cubs want to disrupt that rhythm.
The Wrigley Field Edge
Don't underestimate the "Friendly Confines." Wrigley Field is a living organism. When the wind is blowing out, 200-foot pop-ups become home runs. When it's blowing in, 450-foot rockets die at the warning track.
During the September series, the Cubs' home record sat at a respectable .533 historically, and you could see why. The crowd gets into the pitchers' heads. When the Rays come to town, they’re used to the sterile, quiet environment of the Trop. Coming to Chicago is a culture shock. It's loud, it's old, and the ivy is always watching.
🔗 Read more: How Much Is the Ken Griffey Rookie Card Worth: The Real Prices Most People Miss
What Most People Get Wrong
People think the Rays win because of "moneyball." That’s a lazy take. They win because they’re better at player development than almost anyone else. They take a guy like Richie Palacios or Bob Seymour and turn them into productive MLB starters.
The Cubs get criticized for "buying" their way to success. But look at the 2025 roster. You’ve got Moisés Ballesteros—a young catcher with a sweet left-handed stroke—hitting homers off elite pitching. You’ve got Pete Crow-Armstrong patrolling center field like a Gazelle. This isn't just a high-priced mercenary squad; it’s a team that has finally started to blend its farm system with its financial muscle.
Moving Forward: What to Watch For
If you're following these two teams into the 2026 season, there are a few things you need to keep an eye on. The rivalry isn't "traditional" like Cubs-Cardinals, but the games are consistently more competitive.
- Check the Bullpen Usage: The Rays will likely use an "opener" at some point in their next series. If the Cubs don't adjust their lineup early, they'll get caught in a matchup trap.
- Monitor the Weather: If you're betting or just watching, check the wind at Wrigley. It changes the entire strategy of the game.
- Watch the Young Guns: Keep an eye on the Statcast data for Junior Caminero and Moisés Ballesteros. These are the guys who will be defining this matchup for the next five years.
The Cubs managed to take two out of three in that September series, finishing it off with a 4-3 win on Sunday. It was a statement. It proved that while the Rays' system is elite, sometimes the raw energy of a pennant race and a historic home field can tip the scales.
👉 See also: NFL Running Back Leaders 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, don't just look at the standings. Look at the pitch usage in the 7th and 8th innings. That’s where the Chicago Cubs vs Tampa Bay Rays games are won and lost. Every single time.