The Tampa Bay Rays (86-76) and the Cleveland Guardians (92-70) meet in Game 1 of an AL Wild-Card Series Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 12:07 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Rays vs. Guardians odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Guardians won 4-2
The Rays limped to the finish line of the regular season, dropping 5 straight, and 7 of their final 8 games. Two of those losses came at Progressive Field in Cleveland Sept. 28-29, a pair of 2-1 setbacks. Each of the 3 meetings in that late September series were decided by 1 – Tampa Bay needed 11 innings to win the opener 6-5.
The Guardians finished up strong, winning 22 of the final 27 games to run away with the AL Central Division crown.