First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET
Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
Weather Outlook
Temperature: ~71°F at first pitch
Conditions: Mild, partly sunny
Wind: Light NNE breeze (approx. 9 mph)
Injury Report
Tampa Bay Rays
TJ Nichols — 7‑Day IL
Tre’ Morgan — 7‑Day IL
Tatem Levins — 7‑Day IL
Austin Vernon — 7‑Day IL
Ty Johnson — 7‑Day IL
Cleveland Guardians
Carlos Hernandez — OUT until May 1
Andrew Walters — 15‑Day IL (return May 8)
Shawn Armstrong — 15‑Day IL (return May 11)
Gabriel Arias — 10‑Day IL (return May 15)
Probable Pitching Matchup
Tampa Bay — LHP Steven Matz (3–1, 4.81 ERA)
WHIP: 1.23
IP: 24.1
K/BB: 25/10
HR allowed: 5
Cleveland — LHP Parker Messick (3–0, 1.76 ERA)
WHIP: 0.88
IP: 30.2
K/BB: 29/8
HR allowed: 1
Matchup note: Messick has been one of MLB’s most effective early‑season starters, while Matz has been solid but more volatile.
Team Records & Recent Form
Tampa Bay Rays (16–11)
Last 5: W, W, W, W, L
Offense: .258 AVG, 132 R, 26 HR
Pitching: 4.36 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
Cleveland Guardians (15–14)
Last 5: L, L, W, L, W
Offense: .231 AVG, 118 R, 30 HR
Pitching: 4.07 ERA, 1.26 WHIP
Key Player Matchups
Yandy Díaz (TB) vs. Parker Messick
Díaz: .337 AVG, .425 OBP, .500 SLG
Messick’s elite command and low WHIP make this a strength‑vs‑strength duel.
Junior Caminero (TB) vs. Guardians’ Lefties
Caminero leads TB with 8 HR.
Messick’s ability to limit HRs (only 1 allowed) is a major factor.
José Ramírez (CLE) vs. Steven Matz
Ramírez: 6 HR, 12 RBI
Matz has allowed 5 HR in 24.1 IP — a potential vulnerability.
Brayan Rocchio (CLE) vs. Rays’ Bullpen
Rocchio: .278 AVG, 17 RBI
Rays’ bullpen has a 69.2% save rate and has struggled with inherited runners (40.6% score).
Series & Historical Notes
This is the first meeting of the 2026 season.
Rays enter on a four‑game win streak; Guardians have dropped two straight.
Betting Trends
Rays are 9–5 in day games; Guardians are 4–6.
Messick’s starts have trended Under due to elite run prevention.
Rays’ offense is hotter entering the matchup (four straight wins scoring 4+).
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Rays 8
Cleveland Guardians – 136
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, April 26, 2026
