Cleveland Indians vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 8/31/19 Prediction & Odds

Indians vs. Rays Prediction

The Cleveland Indians had their three-game winning streak snapped last night in a series opener at the Tampa Bay Rays. Can Cleveland bounce back with a win today?

Game Snapshot

923 Cleveland Indians at 924 Tampa Bay Rays

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Tropicana Field at 6:10PM ET

TV: Fox Sports Sun

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Public Betting Information

According to oddsmakers, the Rays are a -118 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Indians are a +108 underdog, while the total is set at 8.5 runs. As of Saturday morning, 63 percent of public bets are siding with visiting Tampa Bay. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for up-to-date info.

Indians shut down in opener

Cleveland did not score on five hits Friday night as it fell 4-0 at Tampa Bay to drop to 79-56 overall and 38-29 on the road. Carlos Santana helped lead the offense as he went 1-for-3 with a walk. Tyler Naquin was 1-for-2 with a double before leaving on a stretcher with an injury. Franmil Reyes and Roberto Perez each finished 1-for-3. Shane Bieber took the loss as he surrendered three earned runs on six hits with nine strikeouts and no walks over 6 1/3 innings. Zach Plesac draws the start tonight as he comes in with a 7-4 record, 3.40 ERA and 1.20 ERA with 87 strikeouts over 66 1/3 innings pitched.

Four Rays pitchers combine on shutout

Four Tampa Bay pitchers guided the hosts to a 4-0 victory Friday night over Cleveland as the Rays improved to 78-58 overall and 35-31 at home. Oliver Drake picked up the win in relief as he allowed one hit and struck out one while walking none over 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Jesus Aguilar led the offense as he finished 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs. Avisail Garcia finished 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Willy Adames went 2-for-3 with a double. Diego Castillo will serve as the opener today as he enters with a 2-8 record, 3.76 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 60 strikeouts over 52 2/3 innings. 

MLB Betting Trends

Cleveland

The Indians are 4-1 in their last five games versus a right-handed starter. Cleveland is 19-9 in its last 28 road games.

Tampa Bay

The Rays are 12-4 in the last 16 Castillo starts. Tampa Bay is 4-1 in its last five games versus the AL Central.

Prediction:

This should be a well-played, low-scoring game between the two playoff contenders. Plesac has been a solid contributor to the Cleveland rotation, while Castillo typically puts the Rays in a good position right off the bat for the bulk reliever to take over. With the comfort level a little higher for the Indians in game two at Tropicana Field, I'm going to bet on Plesac being effective and the bullpen getting the job done behind him to help the visitors to a win as small dogs.

 

MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CLEVELAND INDIANS +108