The Tampa Bay Rays (84-69) and the Cleveland Guardians (86-67) open a 3-game set at Progressive Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rays vs. Guardians odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Guardians lead 2-1
The Rays currently sit 10 games back in the AL East, but it looks like they will be headed for the playoffs barring a disaster. Tampa Bay ranks 5th in the AL with a plus-62 run differential and holds the second AL wild-card spot.
The Guardians wrapped up the AL Central Division title over the weekend, and currently sit 10 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. Cleveland has won 7 straight games, doing most of its damage on the road. The Guardians are 46-35 on the road, as opposed to just 40-32 at home.
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Rays at Guardians projected starters
RHP Corey Kluber vs. RHP Shane Bieber
Kluber (10-9, 4.30 ERA) makes his 30th start. He has a 1.18 WHIP, 1.1 BB/9 and 7.5 K/9 through 155 IP.
- Has allowed 11 ER across 13 1/3 IP across his past 3 starts, as his ERA has risen from 4.00 to 4.30
- Allowed 4 ER on 8 H and 0 BB with 10 K across 6 IP in a home win over his former team July 30
Bieber (12-8, 2.81 ERA) makes his 30th start. He has a 1.03 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 9.0 K/9 through 189 IP.
- Is just 4-5 with a 3.09 ERA across 70 IP over 11 starts at Progressive Field this season
- Yielded just 1 ER on 5 H and 2 BB with 8 K across 7 IP in a road win over the Rays July 29
Rays at Guardians odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Rays +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Guardians -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-175) | Guardians -1.5 (+140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: +112 | U: -140)
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Rays at Guardians picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 4, Guardians 2
Money line
The RAYS (+130) are a strong value play at plus-money. Yes, the Guardians have been red-hot lately, winning 7 straight, but how hungry will this team be now that they have clinched the division title?
Tampa Bay is still jostling for playoff positioning, and it has a little more to play for. The Guardians are locked in and can take it easy for the next week before the games start to count again.
Run line/Against the spread
The RAYS +1.5 (-175) isn’t priced terribly out of line, although I’d prefer going straight up instead. Tampa Bay is just 2-5 in its last 7 road games, and 4-10 in the past 14 against teams with a winning record, so it is understandable to be a little nervous taking the ‘dog.
However, Kluber will be working against his former team and could bring a little something extra to The Land on Tuesday.
Over/Under
UNDER 7.5 (-140) is the play here with two double-digit winners on the bump, but you’ll have to pay dearly for it. I don’t like paying more than -120 on a total, but this should be a lower-scoring game, so have at it.
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