Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 9/12/2024 7:15 PM EST

We have your Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Tampa Bay Rays hit the road to face the Cleveland Guardians.

Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians Odds Info

Best Moneyline Odds: Tampa Bay Rays +125 (BetMGM) / Cleveland Guardians -141 (BetRivers NJ)
Best Spread Odds: -1.5 - Tampa Bay Rays -185 (BetMGM) / Cleveland Guardians +150 (BetMGM)
Best Total Odds: 7.5 - Under -103 (BetRivers) / Over -115 (bet365)

Game Info

Date: 9/12/2024
Time: 7:15 PM EST
Location: Progressive Field (Cleveland, Ohio)
TV: FOX

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

In the three games played between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Guardians this season, the Rays have emerged victorious twice, while the Guardians have secured one win. The games were played over a span of three days, from July 12 to July 14, 2024. The home team won two of these matchups, with the visiting team winning once. In terms of betting, the Rays covered the spread in two games, while the Guardians covered it once. Notably, all three games went under the projected total score, with none of the games hitting the over. Across these games, the Rays demonstrated a strong pitching performance, particularly in their two wins, where they allowed no runs in both games.

The most recent game on July 14, 2024, saw the Tampa Bay Rays defeating the Cleveland Guardians with a score of 2-0. The Rays' victory was marked by home runs from Jose Siri in the third inning and Brandon Lowe in the sixth inning. Tampa Bay's pitching was particularly effective, allowing only four hits and striking out nine batters, resulting in a game ERA of 0.00. The Guardians struggled offensively, leaving 14 runners on base and finishing with a batting average of .129. The Rays, despite having a lower batting average of .172, capitalized on their opportunities with two home runs, leading to a slugging percentage of .379. The game was characterized by strong pitching and limited offensive production from both teams.

Overall, the series between these two teams has been defined by low-scoring games and dominant pitching performances. The Rays have shown an ability to capitalize on key offensive moments, while the Guardians have struggled to convert their opportunities into runs. As the teams prepare to face each other again, the previous matchups suggest a potential for another closely contested game, with pitching likely to play a crucial role in determining the outcome. The Rays' ability to win at home and cover the spread in two of the three games could provide them with a psychological edge going into the upcoming matchup.

Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians are set to clash in a pivotal four-game series at Progressive Field, with both teams looking to solidify their standings as the regular season winds down. The Guardians, currently leading the AL Central, have been on a roll, winning nine of their last 13 games, including a recent sweep of the Chicago White Sox. Their home record of 43-25 is the best in the American League, providing them with a significant advantage as they return to Cleveland.

However, the Guardians face a formidable opponent in the Rays, who have shown resilience despite recent struggles. Tampa Bay's Ryan Pepiot, who boasts an 8-6 record with a 3.66 ERA, will take the mound. Pepiot has been a reliable force for the Rays, particularly in his last nine starts, where he has maintained a 2.31 ERA. His previous encounter with the Guardians on July 14 resulted in a 2-0 victory for the Rays, where he delivered six shutout innings, showcasing his ability to stifle Cleveland's offense.

On the other side, the Guardians will rely on Gavin Williams, who has had a challenging season with a 3-8 record and a 5.25 ERA. Williams struggled in his last outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers, failing to make it out of the first inning. Despite these difficulties, Williams has shown flashes of potential, particularly in his previous start against the Rays, where he allowed only two runs over five innings.

Offensively, the Guardians have been buoyed by Lane Thomas, who has been on a tear this month, batting .405 with 13 RBIs in 10 games. His recent performance has been a revelation for Cleveland, providing a much-needed boost to their lineup. Meanwhile, the Rays' Yandy Diaz has been a consistent threat, batting .400 with eight RBIs in his last 10 games, and will look to continue his hot streak against the Guardians.

As the series opener approaches, both teams will be keenly aware of the stakes. The Guardians aim to extend their division lead, while the Rays seek to regain momentum after a tough series against the Phillies. With strong pitching and key offensive contributions on both sides, this matchup promises to be a tightly contested affair, setting the stage for an exciting series in Cleveland.

Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians Pick: Cleveland Guardians Moneyline

As the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians prepare to face off, the Guardians present a compelling case for a moneyline pick. Cleveland has been in strong form, winning nine of their last 13 games, and they boast the best home record in the American League at 43-25. This home-field advantage is significant as they return to Progressive Field, where they have consistently performed well.

Despite the challenges faced by their starting pitcher, Gavin Williams, who has a 3-8 record and a 5.25 ERA, the Guardians have shown resilience. Williams has demonstrated potential, particularly in his previous start against the Rays, where he allowed only two runs over five innings. This suggests that he has the capability to contain Tampa Bay's offense, especially with the support of a strong bullpen.

Offensively, the Guardians have been buoyed by Lane Thomas, who has been on a remarkable run this month, batting .405 with 13 RBIs in 10 games. His recent surge has provided a significant boost to Cleveland's lineup, making them a formidable opponent. Additionally, the Guardians' recent sweep of the Chicago White Sox, where they outscored their opponents 16-7, highlights their offensive prowess and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

While the Rays have shown resilience, their recent struggles cannot be overlooked. They were swept by the Philadelphia Phillies in their last series, managing only seven runs across three games. This offensive futility, coupled with the Guardians' strong home performance, tilts the scales in favor of Cleveland. Furthermore, the Guardians' ability to maintain their division lead and their recent momentum make them a strong candidate for a moneyline pick in this matchup.

Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians Top Player Prop Picks

Gavin Williams Over 1.5 Earned Runs -145 (Caesars)

Gavin Williams has had a challenging season, with a 3-8 record and a 5.25 ERA, and his recent performances suggest that he might struggle against the Tampa Bay Rays. In his last outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Williams failed to make it out of the first inning, allowing five runs. Although he showed potential in a previous start against the Rays, allowing only two runs over five innings, his overall inconsistency and high ERA make the over on earned runs a compelling pick. The Rays, despite recent offensive struggles, have players like Yandy Diaz who are in good form, batting .400 with eight RBIs in his last 10 games, which could further challenge Williams.

Ryan Pepiot Under 2.5 Earned Runs -145 (DraftKings)

Ryan Pepiot has been a reliable force for the Tampa Bay Rays, boasting an 8-6 record with a 3.66 ERA. His recent performances have been particularly impressive, maintaining a 2.31 ERA over his last nine starts. In his previous encounter with the Guardians on July 14, Pepiot delivered six shutout innings, showcasing his ability to stifle Cleveland's offense. Given the Guardians' struggles against strong pitching, as evidenced by their .129 batting average in their last matchup against Pepiot, the under on earned runs is a strong pick. Pepiot's consistency and ability to perform under pressure make this a favorable bet.

Lane Thomas Over 0.5 Hits Runs RBIs -105 (BetMGM)

Lane Thomas has been a revelation for the Cleveland Guardians this month, batting .405 with 13 RBIs in 10 games. His recent surge has provided a significant boost to Cleveland's lineup, making him a key player to watch in this matchup. Thomas's ability to deliver in crucial moments, as demonstrated by his three hits and four RBIs in the recent series against the Chicago White Sox, suggests that he is well-positioned to continue his hot streak. With the Guardians returning home, where they have the best record in the American League, Thomas is likely to capitalize on his opportunities, making the over on hits, runs, and RBIs a promising pick.