Tampa Bay Rays vs
Cleveland GuardiansPredictions & Preview

Rays' Rasmussen Shines on the Road, Guardians Struggle Ahead of Matchup: Betting Preview for Rays vs Guardians Series Finale

In the finale of a three-game series between the Rays and Guardians in Cleveland, both teams are out of playoff contention for the season. The Rays have struggled in August and will not be making a postseason appearance, while the Guardians have fallen out of contention for the AL Central Division title. The pitching matchup will feature Drew Rasmussen for the Rays and Slade Cecconi for the Guardians. The game is set to start at 1:10 PM EST. Check out our top picks for this Rays/Guardians matchup to enhance your betting experience.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Rays -131 | Guardians +114
• Spread: Rays -1.5 (+128) | Guardians +1.5 (-148)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Tampa Bay will win straight-up is 57%.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays will miss the American League playoffs for the second consecutive year in 2025, despite their perennial battle for a spot with a low payroll and consistent roster changes. While the team struggled due to more change and not playing in their own ballpark, they have continued to fight and recently achieved a third straight win with a dominating 9-0 victory over the Guardians. Reliever Ian Seymour was pivotal in the win, pitching five shutout innings while being supported by an offense that scored nine runs, including two home runs from Junio Caminaro. Caminero's standout performance, going 4-for-5 with four runs scored and three RBIs, contributed to the team's success. As the Rays head into Tuesday night's game, they remain three games under .500 but continue to fight hard. Veteran righty Drew Rasmussen is set to start the series finale on Wednesday, with an impressive record of 10-5 on the season and strong pitching stats. Despite key injuries to several players, the team remains resilient and focused on finishing the season strong.

Cleveland Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians, who have been a consistent presence at the top of the AL Central Division standings in recent years, are currently facing challenges that have led to a decline in their performance. Injuries and disciplinary issues have impacted the team, resulting in a current losing streak and a significant gap in the division standings. The Guardians' offense struggled in a recent game against the Rays, and they are now two games under .500 and trailing by over a dozen games in the standings. As they look towards the offseason, more changes are likely on the horizon for the team. In the upcoming series finale, righty pitcher Slade Cecconi will take the mound for the Guardians, with a record of 5-6 on the season. Despite Cecconi's solid performance in some starts, the team has struggled in recent games. Several key players, including Chase DeLauter and John Means, are currently sidelined due to injuries, adding to the challenges faced by the Guardians.

Rays' Rasmussen Shines on the Road, Guardians Struggle Ahead of Matchup

Tampa Bay Rays' starting pitcher, Rasmussen, has showcased exceptional performance while on the road, boasting an impressive 2.38 ERA over 15 starts. Furthermore, the team has emerged victorious in three out of Rasmussen's last five appearances. The Rays currently hold a three-game winning streak leading up to Tuesday night's matchup against the struggling Cleveland Guardians, who have suffered six consecutive defeats. Conversely, Cleveland's starter, Cecconi, has struggled to replicate his performance at home this season, displaying an ERA just shy of 5.50 and holding a record of 1-3. The Guardians have faced challenges in Cecconi's recent outings, having lost four of his last five starts. Anticipated to continue their winning streak, the Rays are poised to secure another victory and should be considered a favorable choice with the money line bet.

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