Andres Gimenez will be looking to extend his 20-game on-base streak as the Cleveland Guardians (93-70) host the Tampa Bay Rays (86-77) at Progressive Field on Saturday in Game 2 with the home team eyeing a sweep of their American League Wild Card series. The Guardians took Friday’s series opener 2-1, their fifth head-to-head victory in seven games this season. Starter Shane Bieber went 7.2 innings to get the win, giving up one run on three hits and striking out eight, and Emmanuel Clase threw 1.1 scoreless innings to pick up his 43rd save. Jose Ramirez went 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Jose Siri was 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Rays.
ON THE MOUND
Tyler Glasnow (0-0, 1.35 ERA) is set to take the mound for Tampa Bay. The righty threw 3.2 scoreless innings in his last start, a 4-3 home defeat against the Red Sox on Monday. He yielded two hits while striking out seven and walking one in the no-decision. Glasnow has made one previous start against the Guardians this season, a 2-1 road loss on September 28. He surrendered one run on two hits over three innings, striking out three and walking one. Right-hander Triston McKenzie (11-11, 2.96 ERA) gets the start for Cleveland. He has made one prior start against the Rays this season, giving up one runs over six innings in a 2-1 home win on September 28. He gave up three hits and walked one, while striking out six in the no-decision. In his last start on Monday, McKenzie took a no-decision at home against the Royals. He threw five innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out four, in the 5-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Tampa Bay has averaged only 1.6 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.1, while performing worse across the board (.164/.240/.321). Against right-handed pitchers like McKenzie this season, the Rays have a .678 OPS. Yandy Diaz is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .800 OPS in 347 at-bats. Cleveland is averaging 5.0 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.3 for the season. The Guardians have a .717 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .918 OPS over 444 at-bats, Ramirez has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Tampa Bay is on a six-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 35-47 in 2022. The Rays have scored 4.0 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.1 runs. Cleveland has won three in a row at Progressive Field. The Guardians are 47-35 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. Tampa Bay is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Progressive Field with an average scoreline of 4.6-3.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Guardians won the AL Central. The Rays finished third in the AL East.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cleveland Guardians (-115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
