The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians split the first two games of this American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field and now move to Cleveland for an earlier than scheduled Game 3.
The game has been moved to 1pm ET to avoid forecast rain, with the Guardians sending ALDS hero Gavin Williams to the hill after his two starts and relief appearance against the Chicago White Sox.
The Rays will turn to Griffin Jax for this game, with the 31-year-old starting once more after featuring out of the bullpen in their ALDS win over the New York Yankees.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians betting picks and predictions
Under 6.5 runs (-101)
In contrast with the National League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers, this ALCS between the Rays and Guardians has been a competitive affair.
Game 1 was closer than the 7-3 scoreline suggests, with the Rays’ bullpen struggling late on as the Guardians pulled away. Game 2 saw Tampa Bay’s pitching staff bounce back in style, holding Cleveland to just one run behind Freddy Peralta’s electric start.
Now the Guards send Gavin Williams to the hill in Game 3 after he had 24 strikeouts and a 1.54 ERA from 11.2 innings against the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS.
Moving this game from a night game to day time could also benefit Williams, who had a 2.42 ERA in 13 day starts and a 4.82 ERA in 19 night starts in the regular season.
He should be able to keep a Rays batting lineup which has yet to really excel in this postseason quiet. Tampa Bay have an OPS of .600 in the playoffs, with just 10 extra-base hits from their five games.
They do have the impressive starter Griffin Jax at their disposal for this one, however, and he has been lights out recently. In his last five appearances he has allowed just two runs on 10 hits across 20 innings, as a starter in the regular season and then out of the bullpen in the ALDS.
He has also impressed with a 0.89 WHIP in 13 relief appearances at Progressive Field so the ballpark and conditions should suit Jax well.
With neither batting lineup managing to dominate, well-rested bullpens after a day off and two starters who are in fine form, the under looks a tempting price in Game 3.
Gavin Williams 8+ strikeouts (+182)
Gavin Williams tied a postseason record with 12 strikeouts for the Guardians in Game 5 of the ALDS, continuing his remarkable strikeout numbers all season.
A real power pitcher who can consistently get it up to 100mph, Williams also throws plenty of curveballs and sweepers to keep batters honest. He had an AL-leading 248 strikeouts in 184.1 innings in the regular season and looks set to continue that trend in this game.
Take Williams for eight or more strikeouts as he looks set to dominate a Rays batting lineup which has struggled to hit its regular season heights.
Yandy Diaz over 1.5 total bases (+132)
While Gavin Williams has generally had success against the Tampa Bay Rays, one player in particular has caught the eye against the Guardians’ starter.
Yandy Diaz is 7-for-15 against Williams in his career, with three doubles, and could be worth backing for two or more total bases in this game.
The Rays DH went 2-for-5 in Game 1 with a double and could repeat the trick against a pitcher he has had success against before.
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Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians odds
Tampa Bay Rays | +113 ML |
Cleveland Guardians | -133 ML |
Run Line | CLE Guardians -1.5 |
Total | O/U 6.5 |
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians player props
Player Home Run Odds
Junior Caminero (TB Rays) | +500 |
Jo Adell (CLE Guardians) | +550 |
Victor Mesa Jr. (TB Rays) | +550 |
Jonathan Aranda (TB Rays) | +600 |
Chase DeLauter (CLE Guardians) | +600 |
Jose Ramirez (CLE Guardians) | +700 |
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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.
