Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays Betting Tips – Rays To Continue Guardians Dominance In MLB Playoffs
The Tampa Bay Rays are favored to take a 1-0 series lead against the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS after winning five of six regular-season meetings, including three shutouts. Drew Rasmussen, who recorded a 2-0 record and allowed just one run against Cleveland, provides Tampa with a strong pitching advantage. Both teams enter with momentum—Guardians after a dramatic comeback over the White Sox and Rays after sweeping the Yankees—but the Rays’ regular-season dominance and pitching edge make them favorites to win the opener.
- Tampa Bay won five of six regular-season meetings, including three shutouts
- Rasmussen has a 2-0 record against the Guardians this season, allowing just one run
- Tampa Bay's regular season dominance tips the opener in their favour
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Tampa Bay are tipped to take a 1-0 series lead in the American League Championship Series.
The Rays had the Guardians’ number during the regular season, winning all but one of their six meetings while shutting them out on three occasions.
Drew Rasmussen was dominant too – giving up just one run in two starts against Cleveland.
Key Numbers – Can Rays Go 6-1 When Facing Cleveland This Season?
- Tampa Bay Rays won 5 of the 6 regular season meetings
- Tampa Bay Rays out-scored Cleveland 15-3 in regular season meetings
- Tampa Bay Rays shut out Cleveland 3 times during the regular season
- Drew Rasmussen was 2-0 as a starter against Cleveland in the regular season
- The Under cashed in 5 of the 6 regular season meetings
Guardians Lead All-Time Head-To-Head; Rays Won Last Meeting
- Cleveland Guardians lead the all-time series 115-91
- Tampa Bay Rays won 1-0 when the two teams last met on July 26
Cleveland Guardians Form – Guardians Riding 3-Game Streak
Cleveland enter the ALCS having pulled off an incredible comeback in the series with the Chicago White Sox.
The Guardians looked to be in serious trouble when they lost back-to-back home games, but they turned things around with a couple of wins in the ‘Windy City’, before wrapping up the series with a 2-0 win at home.
| Date | Playoff Opposition | W/L | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct-03 | vs Chicago White Sox | L | 0-3 |
| Oct-05 | vs Chicago White Sox | L | 3-4 |
| Oct-07 | at Chicago White Sox | W | 9-3 |
| Oct-08 | at Chicago White Sox | W | 9-5 |
| Oct-10 | vs Chicago White Sox | W | 2-0 |
Tampa Bay Rays Form – Rays Swept Yankees In 3 Games
Tampa Bay stormed into the American League Championship Series by sweeping the New York Yankees in three games.
The Rays opened that series with 1-0 and 5-2 wins at home, before heading to the ‘Big Apple’ to clinch the series with a 4-3 victory.
| Date | Playoff Opposition | W/L | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct-03 | vs New York Yankees | W | 1-0 |
| Oct-05 | vs New York Yankees | W | 5-2 |
| Oct-07 | at New York Yankees | W | 4-3 |
Starting Pitchers
| Player | Team | Record | ERA | Strikeouts | Innings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Griffin | Cleveland Guardians | 15-6 | 3.60 | 158 | 172.2 |
| Drew Rasmussen | Tampa Bay Rays | 16-5 | 2.67 | 174 | 172.0 |
Verdict
Cleveland arrive with plenty of momentum, but Tampa Bay are also rolling and they dominated the regular season series between the two teams.
Drew Rasmussen gives them a pitching edge too, so we expect the Rays to draw first blood in the ALCS.
Drew Rasmussen gives them a pitching edge too, so we expect the Rays to draw first blood in the ALCS.
Tampa Bay Win
Moneyline
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US sports writer covering the NFL, NBA, NHL, boxing and MMA, with previews, predictions and betting tips across the major American leagues.
He has also covered almost every major boxing match and UFC fight card during this time.. His specialist sports are American Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Football.
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