The Tampa Bay Rays (71-75, 74-72 RL, 65-73-8 O/U) and the Cleveland Guardians (84-62, 74-72 RL, 67-71-8 O/U) kick off a four-game series on Thursday evening. The Rays will send Zack Littell to the mound, while the Guardians will counter with Tanner Bibee. The Rays currently hold a 2-1 advantage in their season series against Cleveland.
When it comes to MLB Picks, this matchup promises excitement!
Tampa Bay’s Road Challenges
Zack Littell takes the mound for the Rays on Thursday. In his last appearance, he was impressive, throwing five scoreless innings against the Orioles and securing the win. The experienced right-handed pitcher has allowed one run or none in four out of his last five games, boasting a 3.89 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over 138.2 innings. Earlier this season, Littell held the Guardians to just two runs (one earned) in six innings, showcasing a remarkable 2.01 ERA and a 3-0 record in 22.1 innings against them.
Recently, Tampa Bay has struggled, winning only one of their last four series, despite a recent victory against the Orioles. Their performance dipped after a road sweep by the Phillies, and playoff aspirations are dimming due to inconsistent offensive displays. The Rays are currently three games under .500 while playing away from home.
Yandy Diaz is currently a standout for the Rays. He has recorded six RBIs and an impressive 1.08 OPS this month. Throughout the season, the veteran first baseman has hit 14 home runs, driven in 65 runs, and achieved a .754 OPS. Against the Guardians this year, he has contributed two RBIs with a .769 OPS.
On average, Tampa Bay scores 3.84 runs per game, ranking them 28th in the league. Their pitching staff maintains a 3.89 ERA, placing them 12th overall.
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Cleveland Continues to Lead the AL Central
Tanner Bibee will be on the mound for the Guardians. In his most recent outing, he allowed only two runs in five innings against the Dodgers, but unfortunately took the loss. Bibee has emerged as the ace for Cleveland, posting a 3.56 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP, along with an 11-7 record over 154 innings pitched. In his prior matchup against the Rays, he held them to two runs in seven innings.
Cleveland holds the top position in the AL Central, leading by 4.5 games over the Royals. Their recent performances have been a mix of wins and losses, having lost a series to the Dodgers but bouncing back with a solid sweep of the White Sox. At home, the Guardians are 18 games above .500.
However, star player Jose Ramirez has faced challenges at the plate, gathering only two RBIs and a .621 OPS this month. Nevertheless, he is enjoying a strong season overall with 34 home runs, 106 RBIs, and a .841 OPS. Against the Rays this year, Ramirez has struggled, with just three hits and no RBIs, resulting in a .538 OPS.
Cleveland averages 4.50 runs per game, which ranks them 15th in the league. Their pitching staff holds a solid 3.77 ERA, placing them eighth overall.
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Predictions for Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians
The Tampa Bay Rays have won only four of their last ten games and have faced setbacks in three of their last four road series, particularly after being swept by the Phillies. The Cleveland Guardians, on the other hand, are striving to maintain their leading position within the division and have secured victories in three of their last four home games.
Furthermore, Zack Littell’s performance on the road has been inconsistent, with a 4.91 ERA over 58.2 innings. In contrast, Tanner Bibee has shown reliability, allowing two runs or fewer in six of his last eight outings. He also limited the Rays to two runs in seven innings during their previous encounter. Bibee’s home performance is commendable, with three wins in his last four starts at Progressive Field.
