Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays are set for Game 6 of the ALCS on Monday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
After Game 4 was pushed back a day, Tampa Bay took both it and Game 5 in Cleveland by scores of 7-3 and 3-1 respectively.
Owning a 3-2 series lead, the Rays are one game away from punching their ticket to a World Series showdown with Milwaukee Brewers, while Cleveland is looking to force a winner-take-all Game 7.
First pitch for Game 6 is slated for 8 p.m. ET on TBS.
Guardians vs. Rays betting picks and predictions
Rays ML (-151)
Cleveland is in a tough spot here. The Guardians held a 2-1 series lead after three games, but now find themselves in a 3-2 hole after dropping back-to-back games on their home turf.
The Guardians were able to steal a game on the road in Game 1, but they may not be so fortunate this time around.
The Rays have been great at home all season long. Specifically - Tampa Bay's 55 home wins during the regular season were the most in the American League.
After going 55-26 at Tropicana Field during the regular season, the Rays are 3-1 at home so far in the postseason. Looking to close out the series, the Rays are in a good spot to clinch in this one.
Tampa Bay will send veteran right-hander Freddy Perlata to the mound. He has been lights-out in the postseason, as he's allowed just a single earned run on seven hits over 11.1 innings of work.
He tossed 6.0 shutout innings against the Guardians in Game 2 of this series, so he should toe the rubber with plenty of confidence on Monday night.
The Guardians have yet to name an official starting pitcher and it seems likely that they utilize a bullpen game. Game 5 starter Parker Messick lasted just 2.0 innings, which forced the bullpen to see plenty of work.
With Gavin Williams unavailable, it seems likely that Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt relies on his bullpen arms early and often in this one. Playing on a third consecutive day, their bullpen depth seems to be behind the eight-ball.
With all the momentum as well as home field advantage, look for the Rays to find the win column and close out the series.
Over 6.5 (-115)
As strong as Peralta has been in the postseason, this will be Cleveland's third time seeing him in this series. He started Game 2 and then appeared out of the bullpen in Game 4.
The Guardians are a veteran-led team who know how to make the necessary adjustments to turn things around.
After scoring just seven total runs over Games 3, 4, and 5, Cleveland's sense of urgency in the box will be much higher. They should be able to find at least some success offensively.
The Rays should also have a strong night at the plate. Cleveland's bullpen is going to be seriously tested, as Messick going just 2.0 innings to start Game 5 really put them in a tough spot.
Some of Vogt's top choices may not be available as much as he hopes and it will be interesting to see how he approaches this contest.
With all the question marks and uncertainty with Cleveland's bullpen, the edge goes to the Tampa Bay offense.
With a total of 6.5, the over is the play.
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Guardians vs. Rays odds
Cleveland Guardians | +126 |
Tampa Bay Rays | -151 |
Run Line | CLE Guardians +1.5 |
Total | O/U 6.5 |
Guardians vs. Rays player props
Home run odds
Junior Caminero (TB Rays) | +380 |
Victor Mesa Jr (TB Rays) | +630 |
Jo Adell (CLE Guardians) | +650 |
Yandy Diaz (TB Rays) | +700 |
Jose Ramirez (CLE Guardians) | +700 |
Nathaniel Loew (CLE Guardians) | +710 |
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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.
