Last Updated on September 1, 2018 3:31 pm by dpatrick
Rays vs. Indians Prediction
The Cleveland Indians downed the visiting Tampa Bay Rays in shutout fashion in last night’s series opener. Can Tampa Bay bounce back tonight as a small underdog with its ace on the mound?
Game Snapshot
971 Tampa Bay Rays at 972 Cleveland Indians
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Progressive Field at 7:10PM ET
TV: Fox Sports One
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow, the Indians are a -123 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Rays are a +113 underdog, while the total sits at 8 runs. As of Saturday morning, 70 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting Tampa Bay. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Kluber throws seven shutout innings
Corey Kluber gave up only two hits with eight strikeouts and two walks in seven shutout innings Friday night in a 3-0 home win over the Rays. Brad Hand threw a perfect inning with one strikeout for his seventh save with Cleveland. Michael Brantley was 1-for-4 with a double to help pace the Indians offense. Edwin Encarnacion finished 1-for-3 with a solo home run. Greg Allen ended the game 1-for-2 with a stolen base and a run.
Rays held to two hits
A fantastic start by Tyler Glasnow was wasted last night as he took the tough-luck loss, allowing one earned run on two hits with six strikeouts and a walk over seven innings of work. Joey Wendle was 1-for-4 from the leadoff spot for Tampa Bay, while Tommy Pham finished 1-for-3.
Blake Snell (16-5, 2.05 ERA) gets the start today for the Rays, while Cleveland counters with Shane Bieber (8-2, 4.52).
MLB Betting Trends
Tampa Bay
The Rays are 9-2 in their last 11 games overall. The under is 9-3 in the last 12 Tampa Bay road games.
Cleveland
The Indians are 6-2 in their last eight home games versus Tampa Bay. Cleveland is 4-9 in its last 13 Saturday games.
Prediction:
Bieber has shown flashes this season and should be a big part of the Indians’ future, but he has also benefited from a lot of run support. He isn’t likely to get that tonight as Snell has had a fantastic season for the Rays. With Tampa Bay playing very good baseball in August and with its best pitcher on the mound, I like the visitors here.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY RAYS +113