MLB Game Preview: Tampa Bay Rays (64-67) vs. Cleveland Guardians (64-66)

Game Details

First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.

Betting Trends

• Cleveland has dropped nine of its last ten games, going 1–9.
• Tampa Bay is 6–4 in its past ten outings, outscoring opponents by five runs over that span.

Key Storylines

• The Rays opened this series with a 9–0 shutout, handing the Guardians their sixth straight loss and keeping Cleveland’s offense off the board for a third consecutive game.
• Tampa Bay has alternated between two- and three-game win streaks all month, while Cleveland’s struggles have magnified cracks in a once-stout home lineup.
• A win here would push the Rays over .500 in head-to-head matchups this season and bolster their slim wild-card hopes.

Players to Watch

Cleveland Guardians

• Jose Ramirez: Leads Cleveland with 26 homers, 24 doubles, and a .288 batting average.
• CJ Kayfus: 6-for-32 over his last ten games, including a triple and a homer.

Tampa Bay Rays

• Junior Caminero: Riding a four-game hit streak, he launched four hits in Monday’s opener.
• Brandon Lowe: Power threat with 25 home runs and a .266 batting average.

Pitching Matchup

• Rays: Shane Baz (8–10, 5.22 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 143 Ks) looks to build on a bounce-back season.
• Guardians: Parker Messick (0–0, 1.35 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 6 Ks) seeks his first career win in his second big-league start.

X-Factors

• Weather: Expect clear skies, temperatures near 84°F, and light southwest winds at 8–12 mph—conditions that favor both pitchers and the long ball.
• Bullpen Depth: Tampa Bay’s relievers boast a sub-4.60 ERA in their last ten games, while Cleveland’s pen has surrendered 5.12 ERA over its last ten.
• Late-Inning Power: A single homer after the seventh inning could tip the tightly drawn run total.