The Wednesday MLB card is full of day games to start, capped off by a handful of night contests.
We’ll focus on the interleague showdown between the Chicago Cubs (5-6) and Tampa Bay Rays (5-6) at 6:40 p.m. ET, followed by the Athletics (3-7) taking on the New York Yankees (8-2) at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Which contests could bring the best value for projections on PrizePicks Team Picks and PrizePicks? Below, we’ll highlight two games for MLB predictions and expert picks, including two game picks and one player projection.
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Best MLB Predictions and Expert Picks: 4/8/26
The Cubs routed the Rays 9-2 on Tuesday to snap a two-game skid, as Chicago seeks consecutive victories for the first time in 2026.
The Yankees, meanwhile, rallied past the Athletics 5-3 to improve to 3-1 at home. New York is tied with the Atlanta Braves, allowing the fewest earned runs in baseball with 24.
Keep tabs on the Playbook’s MLB coverage for predictions on baseball all season leading up to the World Series. Let’s dive into our favorite MLB predictions and expert picks for Wednesday, April 8 on PrizePicks Team Picks.
Payouts are live as of writing and are subject to change.
Chicago Cubs vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction to Win – 4/8/26
Game Winner Pick: Chicago Cubs (1.88x) | Tampa Bay Rays (1.85x)
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN Unlimited, MLB.tv
- The Cubs are allowing 4.5 runs per game in their previous four instances coming off a win.
- The Rays sit tied for sixth in MLB in wOBA at .332 and tied for fifth in wRC+ at 114.
- Chicago P Colin Rea makes his first start of the season. In 32 outings in 2025, he posted a 19.2% K rate and allowed an xBA of .261.
- Tampa Bay P Joe Boyle is following a strong performance against Minnesota, striking out nine batters. The right-hander has struck out at least six batters in four starts since last season.
- Chicago’s pitching staff ranks 25th in MLB in K/9 at 7.97. The Rays’ offense has the lowest strikeout rate at 18.1%.
- Four of Chicago’s top hitters have compiled an xBA below .200 through 11 games, including CF Pete Crow-Armstrong (.194), 1B Michael Busch (.179), LF Ian Happ (.179), and SS Dansby Swanson (.162).
Cubs 3B Alex Bregman vs. Rays Projection: 5.5 Hitter Fantasy Score
- Bregman broke out of an 0-for-12 slump with 3 hits in Tuesday’s rout of the Rays.
- The former Astros and Red Sox slugger produced a fantasy score of 13 last night after posting 5 points in the previous four games combined.
- Bregman’s power numbers haven’t materialized with the Cubs, hitting just 2 home runs and driving in 3 runs in 45 at-bats.
- His 55.9% hard-hit percentage is the highest of his career, but his xSLG (.388) and wOBA (.253) are the lowest.
Athletics vs. New York Yankees Prediction to Win – 4/8/26
Game Winner Pick: Athletics (2.63x) | New York Yankees (1.42x)
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN Unlimited, MLB.tv
- Former Yankees P Luis Severino has allowed a hard-hit rate of 60% and a BB rate of 21.1% through two starts.
- The Athletics strike out at a massive rate, the only team in MLB above 30% at 30.1%.
- Yankees P Will Warren bounced back from a 3-strikeout outing in his first start to punch out six batters against the Seattle Marlins last Friday.
- All eight of New York’s victories have come by at least two runs, while its average win margin is 3.6 runs.
- Since losing its first two contests by one run apiece, the A’s have lost each of their past five games by an average of 4.8 runs.
- The Athletics were outscored by the Yankees 24-7 in Severino’s two starts last season.
- New York RF Aaron Judge, 2B Jazz Chisholm, Jr., and LF Cody Bellinger are batting a scorching 11-of-25 (.440) against Severino.
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Make MLB Predictions Today on PrizePicks
The Yankees look to stay hot against the Athletics on Wednesday, while the Cubs seek consecutive wins for the first time this season.
You can make your MLB picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued MLB predictions, picks, and news throughout the 2026 season.
