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The Tampa Bay Rays (82-52) and Cleveland Guardians (64-70) start a 3-game series at Progressive Field Friday. First pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Guardians odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rays lead 2-1
The Rays won their 10th game in the last 12 on Wednesday in Miami against the Marlins. Tampa Bay has scored over 7 runs per game over this stretch. They are 20-6 against the AL Central this season.
Cleveland begins a 6-game homestand on Friday after going 4-2 on their road trip. Despite losing 2 of their 3 to the Rays this season, the Guardians have outscored Tampa Bay 22-17. The Guardians are 12-13 against the AL East this season.
Rays at Guardians projected starters
RHP Tyler Glasnow vs. RHP Cal Quantrill
Glasnow (7-4, 3.12 ERA) will make his 16th start. He has a 1.05 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 11.8 K/9 in 86 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 3-0 home victory vs. New York Yankees Saturday
- Last start vs. Guardians: No-decision, 3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K in 2-1 road loss on Sept. 28, 2022
- 2023 road stats: 4-2, 3.27 ERA (41 1/3 IP, 15 ER), .234 OBA in 7 starts
Quantrill (2-6, 6.45 ERA) will make his 14th start. He has a 1.57 WHIP, 3 BB/9 and 5.1 K/9 in 67 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 11 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 8-1 home loss vs. Atlanta Braves on July 5
- Last start vs. Rays: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 2-1 home win on Sept. 29, 2022
- 2023 home stats: 1-4, 6.67 ERA (29 2/3 IP, 22 ER), .308 OBA in 6 starts
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Rays at Guardians odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10:47 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays -185 (bet $185 to win $100) | Guardians +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays -1.5 (+100) | Guardians +1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Rays at Guardians picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 6, Guardians 2
Moneyline
PASS.
I like the Rays to win this game but not enough to bet nearly 2 units to win back 1. I’ll look toward the run line in this game.
Run line/Against the spread
BET RAYS -1.5 (+100).
There is no question the Rays are the better team. Tampa is red hot and they’ve got one of their studs on the mound for the opener of this series.
Quantrill is making his 1st start since coming off the IL and I expect him to get beat up like he did before the injury. Batters are hitting over .300 against him this season.
Over/Under
LEAN THE OVER (-115).
I have full confidence in Glasnow getting the job done for the Rays but I just don’t know what to expect from Quantrill. He will likely struggle against this lineup that can hit anyone. That’s why I lean to the over but not enough to fully endorse the bet. It all depends on how many runs the Rays can produce, and they average nearly 5 1/2 runs per game on the road this season.
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