Free MLB Picks Today: Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays 9/27/22

Hot-hitting Wander Franco will be looking to extend his 12-game hitting streak as the Tampa Bay Rays (84-69) face off against the Cleveland Guardians (86-67) at Progressive Field on Tuesday to open a three-game series. The Rays are playing their first of nine games on the road after wrapping up a 10-game homestand (4-6). They split their last series against the Blue Jays, dropping the finale 7-1 on Sunday at Tropicana Field. Randy Arozarena was 1 for 3 with a double and one RBI. The Guardians are playing the first of nine games at home after concluding an undefeated six-game road trip. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Rangers, taking the finale 10-4 on Sunday at Globe Life Field for their seventh straight win. Steven Kwan went 3 for 5 with a home run, two runs, and five RBIs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Guardians have won two of three in the season series between the teams, including a 5-3 victory in their most recent meeting on July 31 at Tropicana Field. Reliever Kirk McCarty was credited with the win after throwing 3.1 innings, and Emmanuel Clase picked up his 23rd save with a scoreless ninth.

ON THE MOUND

Corey Kluber (10-9, 4.30 ERA) is in line to get the start for Tampa Bay. The right-hander allowed one run over seven innings in his last start, a 5-2 road defeat against the Astros on Wednesday. He yielded six hits while striking out two and walking one in the no-decision. Kluber has made one previous start against the Guardians this season, a 6-4 home victory on July 30. He surrendered four runs on eight hits over six innings, striking out 10. RHP Shane Bieber (12-8, 2.81 ERA) gets the start for Cleveland. He has made one prior start against the Rays this season, giving up one runs over seven innings in a 4-1 road win on July 29. He gave up five hits and walked two, while striking out eight in the win. In his last start on Thursday, Bieber got the win on the road against the White Sox. He threw 7.2 innings and gave up two runs on seven hits, striking out five, in the 4-2 victory.

AT THE PLATE

The Tampa Bay offense is averaging 4.2 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .242/.311/.381. Yandy Diaz leads the team in OPS at .818. The third baseman is slashing .292/.399/.419 with nine home runs, 54 RBIs, and 69 runs over 133 games. Against righties like Bieber this season, the Rays have a .687 OPS. Diaz also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .805 OPS in 342 at-bats. Cleveland is slashing .252/.315/.383 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game. Jose Ramirez leads the team with ann .861 OPS. The third baseman has 28 home runs, 117 RBIs, and 86 runs scored with a slash line of .273/.351/.510. Cleveland is averaging 6.4 runs per game in the last five with a stronger slugging percentage (.417). The Guardians have a .713 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .903 OPS over 422 at-bats, Ramirez also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Tampa Bay is 33-39 in road games in 2022, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Cleveland has gone 40-32 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. Tampa Bay is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings at Progressive Field with an average scoreline of 5.6-3.1.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Rays are third in the AL East, 10 games behind the division-leading Yankees. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting second. The Guardians lead the AL Central by 10 games over the White Sox. Their magic number in the division is zero.