Rays favored over Cubs as Baz's recent form cited in NY Post betting pick
New York Post column recommends $50 wager on Shane Baz and Tampa Bay, highlighting Matthew Boyd's recent struggles
The Tampa Bay Rays were the New York Post's recommended pick over the Chicago Cubs for Friday's game, with right-hander Shane Baz singled out after allowing two runs over his past 11 innings, the paper's betting column reported.
The column recommended a $50 wager on Baz and the Rays, citing Baz's recent effectiveness and contrasting it with Cubs starter Matthew Boyd's recent difficulties. Boyd has surrendered 14 runs over his past 23 2/3 innings, the column said, and his loss to the Washington Nationals on Sept. 6 was described as his first in 13 starts at Wrigley Field this season.
Baz has been monitored by bettors after posting a string of low-run outings, and the Post's column pointed to that stretch as the basis for backing the Rays on the road. The Cubs will turn to Boyd with the club aiming to stabilize its rotation; the reporter noted the right-hander has had mixed results over the recent weeks.
The recommendation appeared in a betting-focused column by the Post's long-running handicapping voice known by the nickname "Stitches," who has covered daily baseball betting for the publication since 2019. The column referenced the Post's suite of betting resources, including a how-to guide for betting on baseball and listings of sign-up bonuses and current World Series odds.
The Post's Friday column also recapped other National League action, noting that the Baltimore Orioles beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 when Dylan Beavers drove in the winning run. In that game, Johan Oviedo and Cade Povich left with the score tied at 2-2, and reliever Colin Holderman was unable to hold the Pirates late, according to the article.
Sportsbooks' lines vary by operator and can change up to first pitch; bettors and readers were reminded to consult current odds before placing wagers. The New York Post column framed its pick in the context of recent form, favoring the starting-pitching matchup and recommending a modest flat bet rather than progressive staking.
Friday's matchup will provide further data on both starters. Baz's recent run of effectiveness will be tested against a Cubs lineup that has produced unevenly in recent games, while Boyd will look to rebound from his recent stretch of elevated run allowance. Observers and bettors tracking rotation reliability and bullpen matchups will be watching for how each staff handles late innings and situational hitting as the teams meet at Wrigley Field.
The Post's betting coverage has mixed historical results, which the column itself acknowledged, and it urged readers to use supplemental resources and exercise bankroll management when considering the recommendation.