Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Indians odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Indians odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Cleveland Indians (48-47) play the Tampa Bay Rays (59-39) in the third game of their four-game series at Progressive Field Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rays vs. Indians odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Tampa Bay won the first two games of this series by a combined score of 15-9 but needed a 2-run rally in the ninth inning to steal Thursday’s series opener before pummelling the Indians 10-5 Friday.

Season series: Rays lead 5-0.

RHP Drew Rasmussen takes the hill for the Rays. He is 0-1 with a 4.55 ERA (29 2/3 IP, 15 ER), 25 H, 16 BB and 42 K through one start and 22 relief appearances with the Rays and Milwaukee Brewers this season.

  • Last outing: No-decision in 2 IP with 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB and 2 K in Tampa Bay’s 6-1 loss against the Baltimore Orioles Monday.
  • Rasmussen is expected to be used as an opener in a bullpen day as he hasn’t pitched more than 2 innings in an outing this season.

RHP J.C. Mejia is Cleveland’s projected starter. He is 1-5 with a 7.53 ERA (34 2/3 IP, 29 ER), 1.44 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 across eight starts and three relief appearances.

  • Last outing: Loss, 4-3, with 4 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 2 BB and 8 K Monday at the Houston Astros.
  • 2021 home stats: 1-4 with an 8.34 ERA (22 2/3 IP, 21 ER), 1.59 WHIP and 2.6 KBB through six starts and one relief appearance.

MLB betting offers/promotions

BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA, WV and Washington D.C. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

  • Bet just $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run during the game. Bet now!
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Rays at Indians odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 1 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Rays -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Indians +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Rays -1.5 (-105) | Indians +1.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under: 10.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Prediction

Rays 9, Indians 5

Money line (ML)

“Sharp” money has steamed the RAYS (-160) down to their current price from the -125 opener because Tampa Bay’s bullpen is the best in the majors in xFIP, SIERA, K-BB% and WAR. It also has the fifth-lowest HR/9.

Also, Mejia is Cleveland’s sixth-most used starting pitcher this season. He likely wouldn’t be included in the rotation if it weren’t for the injuries of starting RHPs Shane Bieber (shoulder) and Aaron Civale (finger).

While Cleveland’s bullpen has been strong this season, Indians relievers were shelled in Friday’s meeting and have been mediocre in the four games since the All-Star break.

I’d BET 1 unit on the RAYS (-160). If your standard unit of wager in MLB is $100 then put that on Tampa Bay’s money line to hopefully earn a $62.50 profit.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

I’m going to PASS even though three of Tampa Bay’s five wins against Cleveland were by at least 2 runs. The Rays are 10-13 ATS as road favorites.

Over/Under (O/U)

BET the OVER 10.5 (-105) for 1 unit because Tampa Bay has played to the Over as a road favorite at the highest rate in the majors (16-5-2 O/U) and Cleveland is 10-6-1 O/U as a home underdog.

Plus, both bullpens are a little overworked so there’s a good chance we’ll be seeing less effective relievers Saturday.

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Cleveland Indians at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Monday’s Cleveland Indians at Tampa Bay Rays odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Cleveland Indians (42-39) and Tampa Bay Rays (48-36) play the opener of a three-game set Monday at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Indians vs. Rays odds with MLB picks and predictions.

LHP Logan Allen is the projected starting pitcher for the Indians. He is 1-5 with a 8.38 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 7.0 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 19 1/3 IP over six starts.

Allen has taken losses in his last four starts. He allowed 3 runs (2 earned) and 3 hits with 2 walks in 3 2/3 innings Wednesday in a loss to the Tigers.

LHP Rich Hill is the projected starting pitcher for the Rays. He is 6-3 with a 3.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in 82 2/3 IP over 16 starts.

Hill was plagued by the long ball Tuesday coughing up 4 runs on 8 hits and a walk with 3 homers across 6 innings taking a loss at Washington. It was just the third time in 16 starts that he allowed multiple homers.

MLB betting offers/promotions

BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA, WV and Washington D.C. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

  • Bet just $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run during the game. Bet now!
  • RISK-FREE FIRST BET. Place your first bet, if it loses you’ll get up to $600 in free bets. Bet now!

Indians at Rays odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:58 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Indians +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Rays -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Indians +1.5 (-110) | Rays -1.5 (+110)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)

Prediction

Rays 7, Indians 3

Money line (ML)

The Rays (-210) are a little too expensive and are a much better play on the run line. Tampa Bay is 6-3 in Hill’s past nine outings despite the loss last time out.

AVOID.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

The RAYS -1.5 (-110) are a strong play at Tropicana in the series opener. Tampa Bay will be very happy to get back on its home field after an ugly road trip with little success. The Rays won four of the past five at home and have picked up victories in 12 of the last 15 in St. Pete. They’re the play against erratic Logan Allen and the Indians.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 8.5 (-120) is the play in Monday’s opener, and the home side has a chance of taking care of the number on their own against Allen. The Indians pitcher has served up 7 home runs across his past 7 1/3 innings over three starts. The Rays are ninth with 4.83 runs per game and are 16th with 1.2 home runs per contest.

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Joe Williams on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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