Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays Predictions, Odds & Picks

Tampa Bay has the stronger setup

Tampa Bay enters Monday's 8 p.m. ET opener at Tropicana Field as a -172 favorite. AS USA reports that the Rays will start Drew Rasmussen after sweeping the Yankees in the ALDS, while Cleveland needed five games to advance after falling behind the White Sox 2-0. That rest advantage and the shorter series support Tampa Bay as the likely winner.

The regular-season matchup also favored the Rays. Tampa Bay went 5-1 against Cleveland and held a 20-8 scoring advantage, according to AS USA. Five of those six games were decided by no more than three runs, however, and two ended in 1-0 Rays victories. Those narrow results make it harder to justify paying -172.

Foster Griffin presents a mixed matchup

MLB.com / Cleveland Guardians reports that manager Stephen Vogt named Foster Griffin the Game 1 starter because Gavin Williams and Parker Messick aren't available on normal rest after the ALDS. Griffin had a 3.06 ERA in 22 starts for Washington but a 5.19 ERA in nine starts after joining Cleveland, leaving the Guardians with less certainty in the opener.

Griffin's left-handed delivery could still help Cleveland. The Rays produced a .679 OPS against lefties this season, compared with .752 against right-handers. That split and SPF's low 6.5 total increase the risk of laying a heavy moneyline in a close game. Tampa Bay is the winner pick, but the wager is a pass at -172.

Pick Tampa Bay Rays

Confidence medium

Betting lean Pass

Expert Picks

Leaderboards

Free Sports Picks

Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays Predictions

Guardians

Rays

Professional Picks On This Game

Guardians vs. Rays Prediction: Tampa Bay Is Likely to Win, but Pass at -172

Tampa Bay has the stronger setup

Foster Griffin presents a mixed matchup