Free MLB Pick: Rays vs. Guardians Odds
Looking for Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians Free MLB playoff predictions? MLB betting sees the Rays taking on the Guardians on Friday, October 7th, 2022 at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball playoff matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions like this Rays Guardians free wildcard round pick.
2022 MLB Playoff Handicapping
(0-0) Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians (0-0)
Date: Friday, October 7th, 2022
Time: 12:07 PM ET
Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH.
Projected Pitchers: McClanahan (TBR), Bieber (CLE)
MLB Moneyline Odds: Rays +100 | Guardians -120
MLB run line Betting Odds: Rays +1.5 (-215) | Guardians -1.5 (+185)
MLB Baseball Gambling Total: O/U: 6.0 (Under -120)
Tampa Bay Rays
It was never a question of whether or not Tampa Bay would make the playoffs down the stretch but a five-game losing streak is never how any team wants to go into the playoffs.
The Rays finished in the final postseason spot in the expanded format after getting swept at Fenway Park by the last-place Red Sox this week.
The offense has had its struggles all season but even more of a concern is Shane McClanahan, Tampa’s ace and Game 1 starter.
Since getting scratched just prior to his start on August 30 in Miami, McClanahan has not been himself.
He went on the Injured List after fears of a serious arm injury but returned swiftly to make four starts in September and October.
In this four starts, however, he didn’t go more than five innings and gave up a total of 11 runs over his final three outings.
It’s been a full week since the offense score more than three runs in a game.
Wander Franco is back, though, and that is the biggest reason for Tampa Bay fans to hold out hope of another playoff run this year.
He played the final month of the season after missing two months and raised his batting average from .260 to .277.
There was almost no power, though. He didn’t homer until Tampa’s last series in Boston. Even the doubles were few and far between with the exception of one in four straight games in the middle of the month.
Yandy Diaz returned too but only in the season’s final week. He had three knocks in his first game back but only time will tell if he is geared up for postseason pitching.
Cleveland Guardians
The Guardians, by contrast, remained incredibly healthy all year long, at least offensively.
The top four players, by WAR, for a team that is better known for its ability to win close, low-scoring games, were hitters.
Three of them do not have a single game of postseason experience — Andres Gimenez, Steven Kwan, and Amed Rosario.
They won’t need to score many with Shane Bieber slated to start Game 1.
Lost in the shuffle of great pitchers in the American League, Bieber turned in his second 200-innings season of his career in 31 starts.
His ERA was not as good as it has been over the years but fantastic nonetheless. At least according to his elite WHIP, it could have been better.
Everyone in the stadium, from the fans to the players, have so much confidence when he’s starting. They know that just a few runs should be enough to win.
Rightly so, his side if favored on Friday.
MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- Rays are 4-0 in their last 4 Wild Card Round games.
- Rays are 0-5 in their last 5 overall.
- Guardians are 0-8 in their last 8 playoff games.
- Over is 6-0 in Guardians last 6 overall.
- Head to Head: Rays are 9-4 in the last 13 meetings in Cleveland.
- Head to Head: Rays are 13-5 in the last 18 meetings.
- Head to Head: Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Cleveland.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians MLB Playoff Prediction:
The Rays may have more team postseason experience but Bieber has seen enough big games to neutralize any advantage there.
The Guardians come into this series playing better, at home, and going up against a starting pitcher on the other side with some questions to answer.
They should be bigger favorites than they are to open.
4* Free MLB Playoffs Betting Pick: Cleveland -120
If you’re looking for more MLB picks like Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians matchup, we’ll be providing 4* free MLB plays on the blog all playoffs long, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free MLB Baseball picks!
Register here for a FREE MLB Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!