Tag: Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays odds predictions pick betting line spread

Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Cleveland Guardians (56-62) and the Tampa Bay Rays (71-48) wrap up a 3-game series at Tropicana Field Sunday in St. Petersburg, Fla. First pitch is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Guardians vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Rays lead 2-0

The Guardians have unexpectedly re-discovered their offense in St. Pete, scoring 13 runs in the 1st 2 games of this series. That’s the good news. The bad news is that Cleveland’s pitching has allowed 15 runs, dropping each outing by a single run. The Over has cashed, too, which is rather unexpected, after a 10-2-1 run to the Under in the previous 13 outings.

The Rays have won 8 of the last 12 games overall, and Tampa Bay currently sits 1 1/2 games back of the Baltimore Orioles for 1st place in the AL East Division. The Rays are 40-21 at home, while boasting an impressive plus-146 run differential, which ranks 3rd in the majors.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

Guardians at Rays projected starters

RHP Tanner Bibee vs. RHP Zach Eflin

Bibee (8-2, 2.92 ERA) makes his 19th start. He has a 1.22 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 in 101 2/3 innings.

  • Last start: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 6 K in a 1-0 home win vs. the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday
  • 2023 road splits: 3-1, 4.24 ERA (48 2/3 IP, 23 ER – 9 HR), .277 opponent batting average (OBA) in 9 starts

Eflin (12-6, 3.34 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 0.97 WHIP, 1.2 BB/9 and 9.0 K/9 in 129 1/3 innings.

  • Last start: No-decision, 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 8 K in a 4-2 home win vs. the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday
  • 2023 home splits: 10-2, 2.49 ERA (79 2/3 IP, 22 ER – 7 HR), .202 opponent batting average (OBA) in 13 starts

Guardians at Rays odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:12 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Guardians +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Rays -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians +1.5 (-140) | Rays -1.5 (+115)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 9/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!

Guardians at Rays picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 4, Guardians 2

Moneyline

The Rays (-185) are likely going to complete the sweep behind Eflin, who has already racked up 10 victories at home this season. While Bibee should provide plenty of resistance for the Guardians (+150), the rookie hasn’t been nearly as reliable on the road as at home. In fact, he has served up 9 of his 10 homers away from Progressive Field.

Still, PASS, as you can’t risk nearly 2 times your potential return, unless you’re including this in a parlay with 4 or more teams.

Run line/Against the spread

The RAYS -1.5 (+115) on the run line is a much better value, although it obviously comes with some risk. Yes, Tampa Bay is going for the sweep, but it won the 1st 2 games in this series by a single run.

Still, it’s hard to envision a scenario where Cleveland puts the lumber to Eflin, as he has been one of the better home pitchers in the majors.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Over/Under

UNDER 7.5 (-115) is a rather low number, but both Bibee and Eflin should post plenty of donuts in this game.

The Under is 10-4-1 in the last 15 games for the Guardians despite a pair of unexpected Over results in the 1st 2 of this set. The Under was 9-4 in the previous 13 home games for the Rays before this series, too. Look for both teams to have a lower-scoring game Sunday.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Tampa Bay Rays (69-48) welcome the Cleveland Guardians (56-60) to Tropicana Field Friday. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Guardians vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting of 2023; Guardians won last season’s series 4-2

The Rays lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 Thursday, losing the series 2-1. Tampa Bay is 2nd in the AL East, 3 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. The Rays are 38-21 at home this season and 6-4 over their last 10.

The Guardians split a 4-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays to start the week, including a 4-3 Thursday in the finale. Cleveland is 25-32 on the road this season and 3-7 over its last 10 games and is 3 1/2 games back of the AL Central.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

Guardians at Rays projected starters

RHP Xzavion Curry vs. RHP Aaron Civale

Curry (3-1, 2.95 ERA) makes his 5th start and 30th appearance. He has a 1.16 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 6.3 K/9 through 64 IP.

  • Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K in 5-3 home loss vs. Chicago White Sox Sunday
  • 2023 road splits: 1-1, 3.30 ERA in 30 IP through 2 starts and 12 relief appearances
  • Has never pitched against Tampa Bay

Civale (5-3, 2.55 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.09 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 6.9 K/9 through 81 1/3 IP for the Rays and Guardians.

  • Last start: Loss, 4 1/3 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K in 4-2 road loss vs. Detroit Tigers Saturday
  • Had 13 starts with Cleveland before being traded to Tampa Bay on July 31, 2023
  • 2023 home splits: 3-1, 3.00 ERA in 39 IP through 6 starts

Guardians at Rays odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:07 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Guardians +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Rays -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians +1.5 (-125) | Rays +1.5 (+105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 9/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!

Guardians at Rays picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 4, Guardians 3

Moneyline

PASS.

The Rays (-200) have been strong at home this season but not strong enough to take them with this price tag.

The Guardians won 2 of 4 games against Toronto and are playing better than their recent record indicates. Nonetheless, a play on them is better made on the run line here.

Run line/Against the spread

BET GUARDIANS +1.5 (-125).

Cleveland is 20-13 this season as a road underdog. The Guardians have one of their best pitchers on the mound and should be able to keep the game close. They have either won or lost by a single run in 5 of their last 8 games.

The Rays are 9-11 over their last 20 games, so not quite as dominant as they usually are.

The last 5 games between Tampa Bay and Cleveland, dating back to 2022, have been within 1 run as well.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Over/Under

LEAN UNDER 8.5 (-105).

The Guardians are 45-66-5 O/U this season and have gone Under in 5 straight games and 9 of their last 10 as well. Cleveland has scored exactly 1 run in 3 of its last 4 games — its bats just aren’t electric as of late.

The last 4 games between these two teams have gone Under, and the Rays have gone Under in 4 of their last 6.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

The Cleveland Guardians (51-49) head to Tropicana Field Sunday for their 3-game series finale with the Tampa Bay Rays (54-47) at 1:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Guardians vs. Rays odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Tampa evened the series with a 6-4 win Saturday with the standout performances coming from Rays 2B Brandon Lowe and 3B Yandy Diaz, who both hit home runs and each had 2 RBIs.

Season series: Tied 1-1.

PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!

Guardians at Rays projected starters

RHP Bryan Shaw vs. LHP Shane McClanahan      

Shaw is 4-2 with a 5.45 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 in 36 1/3 IP with 1 start and 39 relief appearances.

  • Last start: No-decision in Cleveland’s 8-3 win at the Boston Red Sox Tuesday with 2 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB and 2 K.
  • Tuesday was Shaw’s 1st career start in his 12 big league seasons.

McClanahan is 10-3 with a 1.76 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 11.8 K/9 in 117 2/3 IP over 19 starts.

  • Last start: No-decision in Tampa’s 5-3 loss at the Baltimore Orioles with 7 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 HR, 1 BB and 7 K.
  • McClanahan leads MLB in ERA and WHIP and leads the AL in K/BB rate.

Guardians at Rays odds and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:18 a.m. ET.

  • Money line (ML): Guardians +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Rays -240 (bet $240 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians +1.5 (-125) | Rays -1.5 (+102)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)

Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!

Guardians at Rays picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 4, Guardians 1

Money line

PASS.

The Rays (-240) are the right side with the favorite to win the AL Cy Young on the bump but Tampa’s ML is far too expensive. McClanahan has 13 consecutive quality starts and is 8-1 over that span with a 1.27 ERA.

But, we’d be getting the worst of the number because sharp action has steamed the Rays from a -180 opening favorite up to the current price, according to Pregame.com.

I’d entertain parlaying Tampa’s ML with another similarly priced line for a better payout since the Rays are 8-2 as home favorites of -150 or greater in McClanahan starts and a plus-20.3% return on investment (ROI).

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW22 for 20% OFF full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 8/31/2022. Subscribe today and start winning!

Run line/Against the spread

BET a HALF-UNIT on the RAYS -1.5 (+105) because they are 6-4 RL in the circumstances described above with a plus-29.8% ROI.

Furthermore, Cleveland’s lineup ranks 29th in wRC+ (77) and wOBA (.275) and 22nd in BB/K rate (0.36) vs. left-handed pitching, per FanGraphs.

However, I’m going lighter on Tampa’s RL here because the Rays are 15-25 RL as home favorites and the Guardians +1.5 (-125) is 22-14 RL as road underdogs.

Over/Under

BET a QUARTER-UNIT on the UNDER 6.5 (-105) only because this is a sharp total.

That said, Cleveland’s lineup cannot hit left-handed pitching. the Rays are 6-11-2 O/U in McClanahan starts and 3-7 O/U in McClanahan’s home starts as favorites of -150 or greater with a plus-34.1% ROI towards the Under. Also, Tropicana Field is a pitcher-friendly venue and ranks 23rd in park factor.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://sportsbookwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

The Tampa Bay Rays (53-46) host the Cleveland Guardians (50-48) Friday for the 1st game of a 3-game set at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Guardians vs. Rays odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Cleveland is 4-4 straight up (SU) following the All-Star Game with 2 straight 4-game series splits at the Chicago White Sox and at the Boston Red Sox.

Tampa is just 2-5 SU since the All-Star break, which includes back-to-back series losses at the Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles.

Friday’s game is their 1st meeting of the season. The Rays won 6 of 7 from the Guardians in 2021.

PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!

Guardians at Rays projected starters

RHP Shane Bieber vs. LHP Jeffrey Springs      

Bieber is 4-6 with a 3.55 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 in 111 2/3 IP over 18 starts.

  • Last start: Lost 6-3 Sunday at the Chicago White Sox with 6 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, 3 HR, 1 BB and 4 K.
  • 2022 road splits: 2-3 with a 3.52 ERA (69 IP, 27 ER), 1.22 WHIP, 9 HR and 9.3 K/9 in 11 starts.

Springs is 3-2 with a 2.50 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 in 68 1/3 IP across 12 starts and 8 relief appearances.

  • Last start: No-decision in Tampa’s 4-2 loss at the Kansas City Royals Sunday with 4 1/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 8 H, 0 BB and 2 K.
  • 2022 home splits: 2-1 with a 3.11 ERA (37 2/3 IP, 13 ER), 1.20 WHIP, 5 HR and 9.6 K/9 in 7 starts and 3 bullpen outings.

Guardians at Rays odds and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:01 a.m. ET.

  • Money line (ML): Guardians -103 (bet $103 to win $100) | Rays -117 (bet $117 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians -1.5 (+170) | Rays +1.5 (-210)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)

Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!

Guardians at Rays picks and predictions

Prediction

Rays 4, Guardians 2

Money line

BET the RAYS (-117) before they get too expensive.

Tipico opened Tampa at -110 but it’s been steamed up to the current number despite the Guardians (-103) having a former Cy Young-winning ace on the hill and being in much better form.

But, Cleveland’s lineup struggles vs. left-handed pitching and Springs grades higher than Bieber in several advanced pitching metrics.

For instance, the Guardians are 29th in wRC+ (75) and wOBA (.273), 30th in ISO (.102) and 26th in hard-hit rate, per FanGraphs.

Also, Bieber and Springs have the same “expected ERA” but Springs has a much better chase rate, hard-hit rate and exit velocity than Bieber, according to Statcast.

BET the RAYS (-117).

Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW22 for 20% OFF full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 8/31/2022. Subscribe today and start winning!

Run line/Against the spread

PASS.

The Rays +1.5 (-210) is overpriced and their alternate line is a no-go because Tampa is 14-24 RL as home favorites and the Guardians -1.5 (+165) are 21-13 RL as road underdogs.

Over/Under

PASS with a “lean” to the Under 6.5 (+105) because the Rays are 3-8-1 O/U in Springs’ 12 starts.

But, this is a sharp number and the O/U trends are pointing in different directions so it’s hard to find value in betting the total.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://sportsbookwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]