The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians meet Thursday in MLB game 3 playoff action at Progressive Field. Here’s a Guardians vs. Rays Prediction. This article will include a Guardians vs. Rays Pick.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 4-1 in the playoffs and look to take a 2-1 series lead. The Rays have split their last 8 road games. The Tampa Bay Rays are batting .215 on the season, have a .271 OBP, and have a .329 slugging percentage. The Tampa Bay Rays’ pitching staff has a 2.60 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. Jonny DeLuca leads the Tampa Bay Rays with 6 hits and 1 RBI, while Yandy Diaz and Junior Caminero have combined for 10 hits and 1 RBI.
Griffin Jax gets the ball for the Tampa Bay Rays, and he is 8-10 with a 3.53 ERA and 116 strikeouts this season. Jax is 4-5 with a 3.89 ERA and 40 strikeouts in his career against the Cleveland Guardians. Jax is 0-0 with a 1.59 ERA and 9 strikeouts in his postseason career.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview
The Cleveland Guardians are 4-3 in the postseason and look to take a 2-1 series lead. The Guardians have won 6 of their last 8 home games. The Cleveland Guardians are batting .232 in these playoffs, have a .327 OBP, and a .365 slugging percentage. The Cleveland Guardians pitching staff has a 2.61 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Chase DeLauter leads the Cleveland Guardians with 9 hits and 4 RBI, while Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan have combined for 16 hits and 9 RBI.
Gavin Williams gets the ball for the Cleveland Guardians, and he is 14-8 with a 3.76 ERA and 248 strikeouts this season. Williams is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA and 29 strikeouts in his career against the Tampa Bay Rays. Williams is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 36 strikeouts in his postseason career.
Why the Cleveland Guardians will win
- The Guardians have won each of their last six night games following a loss.
- The Rays have lost four of their last five games against AL Central opponents following a win.
- The Guardians have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 night games against AL opponents.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- The Guardians have led after 5 innings in each of their last four home night games.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Rays have won 10 of their last 11 games as underdogs following a home win.
- The Guardians have lost six of their last seven games as favorites against AL East opponents.
- The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last seven road games against AL Central opponents following a home win.
- The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against AL East opponents.
- The Rays have led after 3 innings in five of their last six road games against AL Central opponents.
- The Rays have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight night games.
Total Runs Facts
- Eleven of the Guardians’ last 12 games as favorites against the Rays have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Nine of the Rays’ last 10 road games against AL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Guardians’ last nine Thursday games against AL opponents.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in eight of the Rays’ last nine games at Progressive Field.
Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts
- Gavin Williams has recorded a win in six of his last seven appearances against AL East opponents.
- Gavin Williams has recorded seven or more strikeouts in each of his last seven home appearances.
- Steven Kwan has recorded at least one hit in 21 of his last 22 appearances in night games against teams that held a winning record.
- Angel Martinez has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances with the Guardians as favorites against AL East opponents.
- Gavin Williams ranks 2nd in the league for total Strikeouts (248) this season.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Griffin Jax has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last seven appearances against AL opponents.
- Jonny Deluca has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rays’ last eight games as underdogs.
- Cedric Mullins has hit a home run in each of his last two playoff appearances against AL Central opponents.
- Chandler Simpson ranks 2nd in the league in Steals (46) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Guardians rank 3rd in the league for strikeouts this season (1530).
- The Guardians rank 27th in the league for home runs this season (162).
- The Rays rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (1145).
- The Rays rank 1st in the league for walks allowed this season (409).
Guardians vs Rays Prediction
Weird early start time for a playoff game that probably gives the Guardians the edge. Williams has also been great lately, which includes allowing 24 hits and 10 earned runs in his last 40 innings. However, we’re once again getting plus money with the better team. The Rays had the third-best record in baseball and were the most profitable team in the regular season. It’s the same approach we took yesterday in the Dodgers-Brewers game. Also, the Rays have won five straight games with Jax on the mound, where he’s allowed two runs in 20 innings. Give me the Rays and the more favorable price.