The Cleveland Guardians continued to upset the odds with a 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.
Now the Rays will be looking to level the series at Tropicana Field in Game 2, sending Freddy Peralta to the hill.
Meanwhile, the Guardians will send Tampa Bay local Parker Messick to the hill as they look to open up a two-game lead and continue their quest to end the longest World Series drought in MLB history.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays betting picks and predictions
Tampa Bay Rays moneyline (-145)
There was little to choose between the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of this American League Championship Series before the road team pulled away late as the Rays bullpen faltered, and this should be another close encounter in Game 2.
The Rays send Peralta to the bump and he has been lights out recently, including an impressive performance against the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.
The 30-year-old has been impressive since his summer trade from the New York Mets but has been particularly eye-catching in recent starts, with a 0.93 ERA and a 5-0 record in his last seven outings.
He held the Yankees to just a single run and three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings in the ALDS and his fastball in particular had plenty of life, with his average velocity up at 96 miles per hour.
The Guardians will counter Peralta with Messick, who only managed 2 1/3 innings in his last outing against the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS after walking four batters.
The Rays came through the notoriously difficult AL East with the joint-best home record in the regular season, 55-26, and their bats should heat up at some point.
If they can get Messick out of the game early, they should be able to put pressure on a Guardians bullpen which has gone to the well plenty of times in this postseason and should be able to prosper.
Don’t expect the Rays to stay down for long and they are taken for a bounce back win in Game 2 here.
Jose Ramirez over 1.5 total bases (+155)
Jose Ramirez has long been the key man in this Cleveland Guardians lineup and he showed once again why he is such a crucial player to his team in Game 1.
The third baseman went 3-for-5, scoring two runs, and is fancied for another big game in this second matchup.
Ramirez is 8-for-23 with a 1.183 OPS and eight RBIs in six postseason games this year and has a solid record in the few times he has faced Peralta, going 2-for-6 with three walks in nine plate appearances. He can go over 1.5 total bases in Game 2.
Parker Messick under 14.5 outs (-110)
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt has shown that he is happy to go to the bullpen throughout this postseason and he certainly demonstrated that when pulling Messick in the ALDS after just 2 1/3 innings.
The rookie is pitching in the biggest game of his life near where he grew up so the pressure will really be on and if his command is an issue once more, expect Vogt to pull the plug. Take under 14.5 outs for the Guardians starter.
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Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays Odds
Cleveland Guardians | +110 ML |
Tampa Bay Rays | -145 ML |
Run Line | Rays -1.5 |
Total | O/U 7 |
Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays player props
Player Home Run Odds
Junior Caminero (TB Rays) | +425 |
Jo Adell (CLE Guardians) | +525 |
Yandy Diaz (TB Rays) | +600 |
Chase DeLauter (CLE Guardians) | +625 |
Jonathan Aranda (TB Rays) | +650 |
Victor Mesa Jr. (TB Rays) | +650 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
