Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Indians 8/31/18, Prediction & Odds

Rays vs. Indians Prediction

The Tampa Bay Rays have been red-hot over the last couple weeks, but are big underdogs as they enter a series at the Cleveland Indians tonight. Will Tampa Bay record the win and stay hot in the first game of the series?

Game Snapshot

917 Tampa Bay Rays at 918 Cleveland Indians

Friday, August 31, 2018

Progressive Field at 7:10PM ET

TV: SportsTime Ohio (CLE)

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Public Betting Information

According to oddsmakers at BetNow, the Indians are a -215 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Rays are a +195 underdog, while the total sits at 8 runs. As of Friday morning, 70 percent of public bets are being placed on host Cleveland. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest info.

Rays win ninth game in last 10

Tampa Bay secured an 8-5 victory Wednesday at the Braves to win its ninth game out of its last 10. Willy Adames went 2-for-5 and scored a run to help lead the offense from the leadoff spot. Tommy Pham finished 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs. C.J. Cron was 4-for-5 with a solo home run, a double and two runs. Joey Wendle went 2-for-4 with a walk, two runs and two RBIs. Carlos Gomez ended the game 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Jalen Beeks picked up the win in relief as he threw three shutout innings, giving up four hits with two strikeouts and three walks. Jose Alvarado retired all four batters he faced for his sixth save of the season.

Indians take two of three from Twins

Cleveland has won three out of four games including two of three over Minnesota after its 5-3 home win Thursday afternoon. Michael Brantley went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a run to pace the offense. Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso were both 1-for-3 with a walk, a run and an RBI. Jason Kipnis finished 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBIs. Mike Clevinger earned the win as he allowed two unearned runs on four hits with nine strikeouts and a walk over  6 2/3 innings. Brad Hand earned his sixth save since being traded to the Indians as he allowed one earned run on one hit with three strikeouts and a walk in one inning of work.

Tyler Glasnow (1-3, 4.18 ERA) will start today for Tampa Bay, while Cleveland counters with Corey Kluber (16-7, 2.91).

MLB Betting Trends

Tampa Bay

The Rays are 2-6 in their last eight Friday games. Tampa Bay is 4-14 in the last 18 meetings.

Cleveland 

The Indians are 8-3 in their last 11 games following a win. Cleveland is 17-8 in its last 25 games overall.

Prediction:

Tyler Glasnow still has plenty of promise as a former top prospect with the Pirates, but right now control issues are his biggest drawback. Cleveland has a patient offense full of potent hitters and I can't see Glasnow shutting it down. Conversely, the Rays probably won't support him all that much as Kluber is having another fine season. Go with the hosts here and consider taking the runline.

 

MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CLEVELAND INDIANS -215