The MLB Playoffs kick off today with a four-game slate. The Cleveland Guardians defied all odds by winning the AL Central while the Tampa Bay Rays snuck into the playoffs with the last spot. This Rays vs Guardians series is interesting from a betting perspective. The Rays will be tested in this series, as all games will be in Cleveland and the Rays were just 35-46 on the road this season.
This MLB betting preview for the AL Wild Card MLB Playoffs Rays vs Guardians Game 1 includes game info, starting pitchers, betting odds, trends and a prediction for today’s postseason matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction | AL Wild Card MLB Playoffs Game 1
AL Wild Card MLB Playoffs Game 1
Tampa Bay Rays (86-76, 35-46 Away) vs. Cleveland Guardians (92-70, 46-35 Home)
Date: Friday, Oct. 7, 2021
Time: 12:07 p.m. EST
Venue: Progressive Field — Cleveland, OH
Coverage: ESPN
Rays vs Guardians Starting Pitchers
Rays: Shane McClanahan (12-8, 2.54 ERA)
Guardians: Shane Bieber (13-8, 2.88 ERA)
Tampa Bay Rays Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays may be the coldest team coming into the MLB Playoffs. Tampa Bay has lost seven of their last eight games, which included dropping two of three on the road at Cleveland. The offense runs through Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes who combined to hit 40 home runs and 134 RBIs. The rest of the team combined for just 99 home runs and 500 RBIs.
On the other side of the ball, the Rays boasted a team ERA of 3.41. Shane McClanahan leads the way with 12 wins on the year, with Drew Rasmussen and Corey Kluber right behind him with 11 and 10 wins, respectively. This team doesn’t have a bonafide closer, as no pitcher recorded 10 saves for Tampa Bay. The best thing about the Rays is that they have solid bullpen depth and should be able to have fresh pitchers for the entire series.
Cleveland Guardians Preview
Few expected the Guardians to make the MLB Playoffs this year, much less win their division. The Guardians made it clear they were the best team, as they won the division by 11 games. Unlike Tampa Bay, Cleveland has multiple players that can be a long-ball threat. The offense is largely run by Jose Ramirez, who has put together an impressive campaign, batting .280 and hitting 29 home runs and driving in 126. One of the most impressive parts about Cleveland is its speed on the base paths. Five players on the team had18 or more stolen bases this season.
Cleveland’s pitching staff is pretty similar to that of Tampa Bay, as their team ERA sits at 3.46. Unlike the Rays, however, Cleveland has a shutdown closer in Emmanuel Clase. The young closer leads the entire MLB in saves after a rough start to open the season. With an ERA of just 1.36 and a WHIP of just 0.73, if the Guardians can get to the ninth inning with a lead, Clase will shut the door. The biggest question this offseason is whether or not the Guardians can keep the magic alive.
Rays vs Guardians Odds | MLB Playoffs Predictions
MLB betting odds for Rays vs Guardians are taken from BetOnline Sportsbook.
Moneyline: TB: (-105) | CLE: (-115)
Run Line: TB: +1.5 (-225) | CLE: -1.5 (+185)
Total: 6 — Over: (EVEN) | Under: (-120)
Public (Spread) Betting via Action Network: TB: (47%) | CLE: (53%)
Rays vs Guardians MLB Betting Trends
- Four of the Rays’ last five road games have gone under the total.
- The total has gone over in all five of the Guardians’ last five games.
- Tampa Bay is 1-7 straight up in their last eight road games.
- Cleveland is 13-3 straight up in their last 16 games.
- The total has gone under in four of the Rays’ last five road games against Cleveland
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Rays vs Guardians Stats
- Tampa Bay is averaging 4.11 runs per game (RPG) this season (No. 21 in the MLB).
- Tampa Bay is surrendering 3.79 RPG this season (No. 6 in the MLB).
- Cleveland is averaging 4.31 RPG this season (No. 15 in the MLB).
- Cleveland is surrendering 3.91 RPG this season (No. 8 in the MLB).
Rays vs Guardians MLB Weather Report
Status: Cloudy
Temperature: 55℉
Humidity: 70%
Precipitation: 15%
Wind: 16 MPH (blowing out to center)
Rays vs Guardians Prediction | AL Wild Card MLB Playoffs Game 1
The Rays vs Guardians MLB betting prediction uses NumberFire’s probability model. They give Cleveland a 50.8% chance to win Game 1 of this AL Wild Card MLB Playoffs matchup.
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