The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians prepare to face off in Cleveland to kick off the postseason.
The Guardians enter the playoffs fresh off of a strong month of September that saw him win the AL Central. Meanwhile, the Rays have lost five straight games and are just 2-8 over their past ten contests.
Nevertheless, this is a talented Rays team more than capable of pulling off an upset. But the Guardians are the team to beat in this series.
The first pitch is scheduled for 12:07 PM EST on Friday, October 7th, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. Let’s take a look at the Rays vs. Guardians betting odds, and MLB picks for this game.
Teams’ Previous Scoreboards
Game 1 of this series is scheduled for Friday. As aforementioned, the Rays have struggled mightily over the course of their past few MLB games.
Meanwhile, Cleveland shocked the MLB world and powered the White Sox and Twins to win the AL Central.
Cleveland ended the regular season, having won two straight games. Meanwhile, the Rays are in the midst of a losing streak. Let’s take a closer look at the Tampa Bay Rays vs. Clevland Guardians odds for Friday.
Rays vs. Guardians Matchup Information
- Time: 12:07 PM (ET)
- Venue: Progressive Field
- How to Watch: ESPN
Rays vs. Guardians Betting Analysis
The Guardians produced an impressive 87-75 against the run line mark in 2022. They were used to being counted out and became quite talented at upsetting the odds. However, they were a mediocre 41-42 against the run line when playing as a favorite.
The Rays were just 78-84 against the run line in 2022. Although their overall mark isn’t great, TB was 32-20 against the run line as an underdog.
Cleveland is the clear favorite for Game 1. They are playing at home and have been the better team as of late. But the Rays are a ball club that has found success as an underdog this year.
That is certainly something to keep in mind before placing your final MLB picks. Can the Guardians cover the run line at home? Or are the Rays set to pull off an upset?
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays are turning to Shane McClanahan to open this series. McClanahan finished the 2022 regular season with a 12-8 record and a 2.54 ERA.
He was the AL All-Star game starter and will earn Cy Young conversation this year. Injuries hit him down the stretch, but he still managed to enjoy a great season.
Rays’ Offense
The Rays’ offense ranks in the bottom half in most categories, so Tampa Bay will rely on timely hitting and good pitching in this one. And that is nothing new for them, as their entire pitching staff has excelled in 2022.
Tampa Bay needs to hit the reset button after a shaky past few weeks. They were still able to sneak into the postseason, but it will be a short October for them if they can’t turn things around sooner rather than later.
The Rays believe they have what it takes to upset the odds but can’t allow the Guardians to jump out an early lead on Friday.
Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians enjoyed a fantastic month of September that saw them capture the AL Central against all odds. Cleveland features the youngest team in baseball and still won 92 games this year.
The Guardians’ excellent pitching staff is their bread and butter. But the team’s offense consistently puts the ball in play which keeps the defense on their heels.
It will be interesting to see if Cleveland can continue their unique style of play in the playoffs. Sometimes October forces teams to fall out of their rhythm. If the Guardians don’t change anything, they should fare well in October.
Shane Bieber as Starting Pitcher
Cleveland will turn to ace Shane Bieber on Friday. Bieber pitched to the tune of a 2.88 ERA and a 13-8 record this season.
He endured a fairly slow start for his stands to open the campaign. But Bieber hit stride after the All-Star break and may earn Cy Young consideration as well. He’s emerged as an extremely reliable option for Terry Francona in the pitching rotation.
Cleveland will look to take care of business at home against the Rays.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview
After reviewing the Rays vs. Guardians betting odds for this game, which team should you roll with?
The Rays are a team that features upset potential. This game will likely be competitive, low-scoring, and exciting throughout.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians Betting Prediction
In the end, I like Cleveland’s odds for a number of reasons. Their home-field advantage will play a major role in their success.
Additionally, their recent momentum should carry into the playoffs. Go ahead and take the Cleveland Guardians -1.5 in this game.
MLB Pick: Guardians -1.5 (+180)
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.