The Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays clash Saturday in game 2 of an MLB series at Tropicana Field. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview

The Guardians need a win after losing 10 of their last 14 games. The Guardians are now 3.5 games back in the AL Central. The Guardians pitching staff is 3rd in ERA (3.79), 14th in WHIP (1.27) and 12th in quality starts (42). The Guardians’ offense is 27th in runs per game (4.03), 18th in batting average (.248) and 30th in homers (85). Steven Kwan leads the Guardians with 125 hits and 39 RBI, while Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor have combined for 234 hits and 144 RBI. Gavin Williams gets the ball, and he is 11-3 with a 2.90 ERA and 49 strikeouts this season. This will be Williams’ first career game against the Rays.

Cleveland Guardians Team Facts

• The Guardians have lost each of their last seven road games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Guardians have covered the run line seven of their last eight day games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Guardians have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three road games against AL East opponents.
• The Guardians have led after 5 innings in each of their last four day games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Guardians’ last five road games.

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Rays look for a win after splitting their last 8 games. The Rays are 2.5 games back in the AL East. The Rays pitching staff is 6th in ERA (3.83), 2nd in WHIP (1.19) and 17th in quality starts (38). The Rays’ offense is 4th in runs per game (5.19), 10th in batting average (.254) and 4th in homers (172). Wander Franco leads the Rays with 123 hits and 58 RBI, while Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena have combined for 224 hits and 124 RBI. Shawn Armstrong gets the ball, and he is 0-0 with a 1.15 ERA and 34 strikeouts this season. Armstrong is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 6 strikeouts in his career against the Guardians.

Tampa Bay Rays Team Facts

• The Rays have lost each of their last six games as home favorites following a home win.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the last seven games between the Guardians and Rays.
• The Rays have led after 3 innings in each of their last three home games against AL Central opponents.
• The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five games as home favorites.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last six home games.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Tampa Bay Rays ranks 1st in the league for opponent batting average this season (.230).
• The Tampa Bay Rays ranks T1st in the league for runs allowed this season (467).
• The Cleveland Guardians ranks 30th in the league for home runs this season (85).
• The Cleveland Guardians ranks 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (810).

Randy’s Pick

The Guardians should have the edge with Gavin Williams on the mound, a dominant pitcher with a 2.90 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. However, the Guardians have been a mess these last couple of weeks and last night’s loss doesn’t help the confidence. The Rays just keep finding ways to win, and they remain one of the more balanced teams in baseball. Last night’s victory only helps moving forward, as walk off wins usually do wonders in the clubhouse. Only the Mets, Diamondbacks and Marlins have lost more money than the Guardians in the last 30 days. Give me the Rays and whatever the price is.