Game Details
First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. ET. The game will be televised nationally on MLB Network and streamed locally on Guardians.TV.
Pitching Matchup
The Rays will send veteran right-hander Drew Rasmussen to the mound. Rasmussen is 10–5 with a 2.62 ERA, 108 strikeouts and a sub-.213 opponents’ batting average over 123⅔ innings. He’s coming off six scoreless frames in his last start and is aiming for his fourth straight quality outing.
Opposing him is Guardians rookie Slade Cecconi, who carries a 5–6 record, 4.41 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 79 strikeouts. Cecconi seeks to halt Cleveland’s pitching inconsistency and secure a home victory in this series finale.
Team Overviews
Tampa Bay’s lineup has smacked 148 home runs (15th in MLB) with a .402 slugging percentage, batting .251 and posting a .314 on-base rate. Despite a 30–35 road mark, the Rays rank 9th in slugging but sit near the bottom in total hits allowed by their own starters on the road.
Cleveland has gone 32–32 at home while collecting just 958 hits (last in MLB) and slugging .366 with 132 homers (29th). The Guardians excel when racking up at least eight hits, going 40–21 under those conditions.
Key Storylines
- A series decider that carries weight for both clubs as they jockey for late-season relevance in crowded playoff races.
- Progressive Field’s pitcher-friendly dimensions have kept totals in check; Wednesday’s over/under is eight runs.
- Jose Ramirez and Brandon Lowe stand as the primary power threats, each capable of a game-changing swing.
Players to Watch
Statistics via USA Today and ESPN pregame reports.
Betting Outlook
Tampa Bay games have gone over this mark in 56 of 132 chances, and Cleveland contests have eclipsed eight runs in 57 of 129 opportunities this season.
Expect a pitchers’ duel decided by timely offense. Drew Rasmussen’s consistency and Tampa Bay’s power should tilt this finale in the visitors’ favor.
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Rays – 133
Cleveland Guardians 8
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, August 26, 2025
