The Cleveland Guardians (57-35) and Tampa Bay Rays (46-47) open a 3-game series Friday. First pitch from Tropicana Field is scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET (Apple TV+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Guardians vs. Rays odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Tied 3-3 in 2023
The Guardians had a hard time in Detroit, dropping 3 of 4 games — 2 as favorites — Monday through Thursday. Cleveland was outscored 24-14 in the series, including an ugly 10-1 lambasting Thursday as +108 underdogs. The Over cashed in the final 3 games and is 5-1 in Cleveland’s past 6 outings, and 10-3 across the past 13 contests.
The Rays took 2 of 3 games from the visiting New York Yankees Tuesday through Thursday, while the total went 1-1-1 in the 3 outings. Tampa Bay won 5-4 as a +105 underdog. It is 8-4 in its past 12 home games, winning each of the past 4 home series 2 games to 1.