The Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Friday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Cleveland Guardians will send out Joey Cantillo for the start here and Cantillo is 8-5 with a 3.74 ERA and 112 strikeouts this season. Shane McClanahan will start for Tampa Bay in this one and is 8-6 with a 3.16 ERA and 85 strikeouts this year.
Cleveland Guardians Recap
The Cleveland Guardians come into this game looking to bounce back from a 3-1 loss at the hands of the Minnesota Twins last time out to sit at 54-50 this season. After this series, the Guardians will head on the road for a series against the Cincinnati Reds.
Guardians Drop Back-To-Back Games
Chase DeLauter has 93 hits with 19 doubles, 11 home runs and 50 RBIs while Steven Kwan has 80 hits with 12 doubles, a home run and 18 RBIs and Jose Ramirez has 66 hits with 18 doubles, 10 home runs and 35 RBIs this season. Brayan Rocchio has also added 95 hits with 15 doubles, 9 home runs and 48 RBIs this season while Angel Martinez has 54 hits with 11 doubles, 11 homers and 33 RBIs and Rhys Hoskins has added 41 hits with 13 doubles, 11 home runs and 33 RBIs. Daniel Schneemann has 52 hits with 11 doubles, 6 home runs and 28 RBIs this season.
Tampa Bay Rays Recap
The Tampa Bay Rays come into this game looking to shake off a 3-1 loss at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays last time out to sit at 59-43 this season. After this series, the Rays will take on the Texas Rangers at home.
Rays Have Three-Game Win Streak Snapped
Yandy Diaz has 117 hits with 17 doubles, a triple, 14 home runs and 61 RBIs while Chandler Simpson has 102 hits with 6 triples and 19 RBIs. Nick Fortes has 60 hits with 11 doubles, 4 home runs and 25 RBIs and Jonathan Aranda has 105 hits with 17 doubles, 14 homers and 65 RBIs. Junior Caminero’s also added 111 hits with 16 doubles, 29 home runs and 62 RBIs.
Cleveland Guardians @ Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends: July 24, 2026
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Shane McClanahan Record this season: 8-6 ERA: 3.16
- Home Record: 6-1
- Last 5 against Guardians: 0-2
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Rays have won each of their last nine Friday games at Tropicana Field.
- The Guardians have lost seven of their last eight games after going to extra innings.
- The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last nine Friday games at Tropicana Field.
- The Guardians have failed to cover the run line each of their last four games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rays have led after 5 innings in each of their last five games against AL Central opponents.
- The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last five games against AL Central opponents.
- Probable Starting Pitcher: Joey Cantillo Record this season: 8-5 ERA: 3.74
- Road Record: 4-3
- Last 5 against Rays: 1-0
Why the Cleveland Guardians will win
- The underdogs have won each of the Rays’ last four games.
- The Rays have lost five of their last six games as home favorites against AL Central opponents following a loss.
- The Guardians have covered the run line in each of their last nine night games following an extra innings loss.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight home games against AL Central opponents following a loss.
- The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Guardians have led after 5 innings in four of their last five road games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
Total Runs Facts
- Seven of the Guardians’ last eight road games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the last five games between the Guardians and Rays have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the last six games between the Guardians and Rays.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Guardians’ last six road games against American League opponents.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Junior Caminero has hit at least one home run in three of the Rays’ last four games against AL Central opponents.
- Shane McClanahan has recorded a win in six of his last seven home appearances.
- Shane McClanahan has recorded six or more strikeouts in nine of his 12 previous home appearances against AL Central opponents.
- Jonathan Aranda has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 appearances against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Yandy Diaz ranks 4th in the league in Hits (117) this season.
Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts
- Chase DeLauter has hit a home run in three of the Guardians’ last four road games.
- Joey Cantillo has recorded seven or more strikeouts in each of his last four road appearances.
- Steven Kwan has recorded at least one hit in each of the Guardians’ last 12 games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Jose Ramirez ranks 7th in the league in Steals (24) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rays rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (730).
- The Rays rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (730).
- The Guardians rank 30th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.375).
- The Guardians rank 30th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.375).
Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
I’m on the Rays in this one. In a solid lefty-lefty starting matchup, I trust the Rays more, especially at home where they’ve been at their best this season and have yet to play since the all-star break. Cleveland can be hit or miss and I just think McClanahan has the better outing here and the Rays walk out with the win.