Rays vs. Indians Friday Prediction
The Rays took Game 1 of their series with the Indians last night in 7-2 fashion, using a combination of home runs, inside-the-park home runs, and solid pitching. Will Tampa also take Game 2 when Blake Snell opposes Shane Bieber?
Game Snapshot & Odds
963 Tampa Bay Rays (-147) at 964 Cleveland Indians (+125); 7.5 runs
Friday, May 24, 2019
7:10 p.m. ET, Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new Baseball Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to our MLB Public Betting Chart page, 63% of the betting tickets are on the Rays to beat the Indians on the moneyline.
Tampa Bay Rays Fantasy Spin
Tommy Pham went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI as the Rays bested the Indians 7-2 on Thursday. Pham’s first inning solo shot to left field was the first of four the Rays would hit off Indians starter Adam Plutko on the day. Pham also had an RBI single in a four-run sixth inning. The 31-year-old now has seven homers, 22 RBI and 20 runs scored in 46 games this year, batting a healthy .290/.403/.460 in that span. The dual threat is also among the AL leaders with his six steals.
Cleveland Indians Fantasy Spin
Jordan Luplow hit a two-run double in Thursday’s loss to the Rays. Rays starter Ryan Yarbrough had the Indians hitters’ number most of the night, save for Luplow’s drive into the left field corner in the sixth inning that plated a pair. It was one of just four hits the Tribe managed in the loss. The club’s lack of outfield depth has been a boon for the 25-year-old Luplow, who has gotten pretty regular run in the early portion of the season. He’s also been put in some prime lineup spots — he batted cleanup Thursday — and has hit .243/.299/.500 in 26 games to date.
MLB Betting Trends
Tampa Bay
The Rays are 14-2 in their last 16 games when facing a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Cleveland
The Indians have lost four in a row and four straight at Progressive Field.
Prediction:
The Rays are now 5-1 in their last six games played in Cleveland and have won five of their last six against the Indians overall. Tampa is also 14-5 in Snell’s last 19 starts and has won seven of his last nine road outings as well. With how inconsistent the Tribe’s bats have been this season, this is a good spot to take the Rays on the runline.
The Pick: Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+120)