The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians will open a four-game set at Progressive Field on Thursday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Rays-Indians prediction and pick.
This exciting American League battle features two clubs with postseason aspirations. Tampa Bay has a stronghold on an AL Wild Card spot and is breathing down Boston's neck in the AL East. Cleveland, on the other hand, is five games back of the Oakland Athletics for the second AL Wild Card spot coming in. Tampa Bay swept the Indians in the first head-to-head series of the regular season.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Rays-Indians odds.
MLB Odds: Rays-Indians Odds
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Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+108)
Cleveland Indians +1.5 (-128)
Over 9 Runs (-119)
Under 9 Runs (-101)
Why The Rays Could Cover The Spread
The Rays are undoubtedly one of the best teams in all of the majors. The defending American League champs are currently sitting in the first AL Wild Card spot and just one game back of the Red Sox for the division lead. They have been hot with wins in 10 of their last 13 games coming in. Despite their recent road struggles, the Rays have won eight straight games against the Indians. Tampa Bay has won five of its last six road games against Cleveland as well and currently sits at 27-21 away from Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay will turn to right-hander Luis Patino for the series opener. The 21-year-old starter has a 1-2 record and 4.87 ERA through six appearances and four starts. He has great stuff and has been effective at times, but consistency has been an issue for the talented right-hander. Patino has really struggled with nine earned runs allowed over his last 8 1/3 innings of work. He will have to find a way to give the Rays a few strong innings and turn it over to the bullpen.
Why The Indians Could Cover The Spread
The Indians have gone through an up-and-down season and currently sit at 48-45 on the year. They had been struggling over the past few weeks with losses in 12 of their last 18 games coming in (there was a nine-game losing streak in there), but they have begun to regain life with wins in six of their last nine games to date. Cleveland has been far more effective in home games this season with a 24-19 record and a +0.16 average run differential at Progressive Field. The Rays have had their number lately, though, so the Indians will have to find a way to counter as they're five games behind the Athletics for the second AL Wild Card spot.
Cleveland will hand the ball to right-hander Cal Quantrill for the series opener. Quantrill has been solid for the Indians with a 2-2 record and 4.05 ERA through 27 appearances and nine starts. He has been getting great run support lately as he's 2-0 with a 4.91 ERA through his last seven starts to date. The Indians starter is coming off a one-run outing over five innings against the Athletics in his last start on July 17.
Final Rays-Indians Prediction & Pick
The Rays seemed to have the Indians' number in their three-game sweep earlier this month, and I don't expect that to change this weekend. The Rays outscored the Indians 21-9 during that series and haven't skipped a beat since. They are a top-10 team on both sides of the ball and posses far more talent than the Indians this season. I expect it to be a tight game in Cleveland, but the Rays have more depth in their bullpen and should be able to outslug Cleveland.
FINAL PICK: Tampa Bay Rays ML (-142)
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