National League Wild Card racepublished at 20:05 BST 14 September
The Cubs meanwhile are all but guaranteed post-season baseball with that 8.5 game lead in the National League Wild Card race.
Image source, MLB Bases Covered LiveSummary
Click 'Watch live' for BBC coverage of Tampa Bay Rays v Chicago Cubs presented by Melanie Newman, Felix White and Xavier Scruggs
Yandy Diaz smashes home run with Rays first at-bat of the game
Junior Caminero makes it back-to-back home runs for the Rays
Have a question? If you are a baseball rookie (or even a seasoned veteran) and want to know more, click here to Ask Me Anything
National League Wild Card racepublished at 20:05 BST 14 September
Image source, MLB Bases Covered LiveAmerican League Wild Card racepublished at 20:03 BST 14 September
A reminder of how things look in the American League Wild Card race. Realistically the Rays are out of it, but they can still finish with a positive record this season and this start might just help.
Image source, MLB EuropePostpublished at 19:59 BST 14 September
A single for Dansby Swanson starts things off for the Cubs at the bottom of the second, but Adrian Houser stays calm for the Rays and gets out Pete Crow-Armstrong, Willi Castro and Reese McGuire to maintain his side's 2-1 advantage.
Postpublished at 19:54 BST 14 September
The second inning is better for Imanaga. He gives up a hit to Bob Seymour with two outs but is otherwise solid and it stays 2-1.
Double playpublished at 19:43 BST 14 September
The Rays get out of trouble with a solid double play. Pitcher Adrian Houser recovers a groundball from Moises Ballesteros and throws to Carson Williams at second base. He fires over to Nico Hoerner to complete the double play.
Run scores!published at 19:41 BST 14 September
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Michael Busch returns to the dugout after scoring for the Cubs.
Michael Busch starts things off with a line drive double for the Cubs before Nico Hoerner brings him home with a groundball single. Simple and effective baseball from the Cubs to halve the Rays' lead.
Postpublished at 19:35 BST 14 September
Imanaga finally gets moving for the Cubs and records three strikeouts to end the inning, but the early damage was done and the Rays lead 2-0.
Home run!published at 19:28 BST 14 September
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Junior Caminero travels around the bases after his home run at Wrigley Field.
Make that two batters, two home runs!
Junior Caminero copies Diaz and launches a home run to the same area of the ballpark.
That's Caminero's 44th home run of the season - not bad at 22 years old.
Home run!published at 19:25 BST 14 September
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Yandy Diaz celebrates his first inning home run for the Rays.
What a start for the Rays! Yandy Diaz jumps on a fastball down the middle from Imanaga and flips his bat as it sails out to centre field for a home run.
One batter, one home run. Hopefully this carries on!
Here we gopublished at 19:22 BST 14 September
It's all square in the series after the Cubs won the opener 6-4 on Friday before the Rays levelled it up with a ninth-inning home run by Nick Fortes last night.
Who will take the series this afternoon in Chicago?
We are underway.
Team Newspublished at 19:17 BST 14 September
The Cubs make two changes to their line-up as Willi Castro and Reese McGuire are introduced deep in the batting order.
The Rays bring in Brandon Lowe, Christopher Morel, Nick Fortes and Everson Pereira in place of Chandler Simpson, Richie Palacios, Hunter Feduccia and Drew Rasmussen.
Tampa Bay Rays: Yandy Diaz (DH), Junior Caminero (3B), Brandon Lowe (2B), Christopher Morel (LF), Nick Fortes (C), Josh Lowe (RF), Everson Pereira (CF), Carson Williams (SS), Bob Seymour (1B)
Starting pitcher: Adrian Houser
Chicago Cubs: Michael Busch (1B), Nico Hoerner (2B), Ian Happ (LF), Moises Ballesteros (DH), Dansby Swanson (SS), Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Willi Castro (RF), Reese McGuire (C), Matt Shaw (3B)
Starting pitcher: Shota Imanaga
Bleachers and beer snakes as Rizzo retirespublished at 19:13 BST 14 September
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Anthony Rizzo salutes the Chicago Cubs crowd after announcing his retirement.
The focus in Chicago this week has all been on Anthony Rizzo, the legendary first baseman who announced his retirement on Wednesday.
Rizzo spent ten years at the Cubs, becoming a legend by playing a huge part in and making the final out of the franchise's 2016 World Series win - their first in 109 years.
He hit a total of 303 career home runs, enjoying spells with the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees at the beginning and end of his time in baseball.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Anthony Rizzo in the stands at Wrigley Field enjoying his post-retirement party.
The Cubs have also been celebrating his charity work to help families affected by cancer after he underwent chemotherapy himself in 2008 for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Yesterday night Rizzo was the centre of attention at Wrigley Field, enjoying the game from the bleachers, nearly catching a home run ball and building a beer snake in the stands with the Chicago Cubs faithful
Welcome to Chicago!published at 19:08 BST 14 September
And welcome to another night of Major League Baseball!
We are with the Chicago Cubs and Tamp Bay Rays this evening as they meet in Windy City.
Although this afternoon it's less windy and more warm, with plenty of sun and temperatures up to 27C.
Perfect then for baseball!
Rays v Cubs previewpublished at 17:48 BST 13 September
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago
Date: Sunday, 14 September
Coverage begins: 19:15 BST on iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs
For the first time since 2020, the Chicago Cubs are very likely on their way to the post-season.
Although they are comfortably behind the Milwaukee Brewers in their division, they hold a seven-game lead in the National League Wild Card race with just a few weeks left of the regular season.
A series win against the Rays would bring them even closer to confirming their place and that all-important home advantage in the Wild Card series.
Only the Cubs and New York Yankees have six players above 20 home runs for the season, showing the depth and power of their line-up. Pete Crow-Armstrong is the current leader of them for the Cubs with 28.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays' chances of post-season baseball have evaporated all but mathematically after they endured an awful run in July that saw them lose 18 out of 25 games that month.
They have at least had some joy in Chicago already this week, winning a three-game series against the White Sox before this match-up with their Windy City neighbours.
Veteran slugger Yandy Diaz has rolled back the years to enjoy one of his best ever seasons with 157 hits and 23 home runs.
22-year-old Junior Caminero has also been a shining light for the Rays, crashing 42 home runs and standing sixth in the home run hitting leaders for 2025.
When the Cubs came to Londonpublished at 17:48 BST 13 September
In June 2023 the Chicago Cubs took part in the second London Series up against their bitter rivals the St Louis Cardinals.
The Cubs enjoyed their day out in the first game, taking it 9-1 at the London Stadium.
Media caption, MLB London Series 2023: Chicago Cubs cruise past St Louis Cardinals in London Series
How much of the game our commentary team actually watched remains unclear, as food seemed to be the main focus for Mel, Felix and X.
Media caption, Doughnut burgers and giant nachos - the London Series snacks are incredible
Coming Up: Baseball on BBC Sportpublished at 17:48 BST 13 September
Live on iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app
Image source, MLB EuropeSeptember 14: Tampa Bay Rays v Chicago Cubs
September 21: New York Yankees v Baltimore Orioles
September 28: Final Day of the Regular Season
October 1: Wild Card Double Header
October 4: Division Series Double Header
Got a burning question?published at 17:48 BST 13 September
Whatever you want explaining our team at Ask Me Anything have the answers!
They can call upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits with no sport off limits and no question too big or too small.
Open the contact form here and fire away!
Image source, BBC SportGet Involvedpublished at 17:48 BST 13 September
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