Home / MLB / Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians Predictions & Picks – Rays To Level MLB Playoffs Series
Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians Predictions & Picks – Rays To Level MLB Playoffs Series
- Tampa Bay tipped to even the series behind starter Nick Martinez
- Martinez is 2-0 and has not allowed a run against Cleveland this season
- Guardians possibly relying on their bullpen for Game 4
Tampa Bay Rays at Cleveland Guardians Predictions & Picks
Tampa Bay are tipped to level this series if Game 4 goes ahead tonight.
Rays starter Nick Martinez made a shaky postseason debut, but he has been rock solid against the Guardians bats this season.
Cleveland, meanwhile, are yet to name a starter and this could end up being a bullpen game for them – hardly ideal as they look to give themselves the chance to clinch at home.
- Tampa Bay Rays are 6-3 against Cleveland this season
- Nick Martinez was 2-0 as a start against Cleveland in the regular season
- Nick Martinez did not allow a single run in 13.0 regular season innings against Cleveland
- The Under has hit in 2 of the first 3 meetings in this series
Head To Head
- Cleveland Guardians lead the all-time series 117-92
- Cleveland Guardians lead this MLB playoffs series 2-1
- Cleveland Guardians won 3-2 when the two teams last met on October 15
Tampa Bay Rays Form
Tampa Bay go into Game 4 looking to rebound from their second defeat of the series, which has left them trailing Cleveland 2-1.
| Date | Playoff Opposition | W/L | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct-03 | vs New York Yankees | W | 1-0 |
| Oct-05 | vs New York Yankees | W | 5-2 |
| Oct-07 | at New York Yankees | W | 4-3 |
| Oct-12 | vs Cleveland Guardians | L | 3-7 |
| Oct-13 | vs Cleveland Guardians | W | 3-1 |
| Oct-15 | at Cleveland Guardians | L | 2-3 |
Cleveland Guardians Form
Cleveland take a 2-1 lead into tonight's game with Tampa Bay, meaning a victory here will give them the opportunity to clinch at home this weekend.
| Date | Playoff Opposition | W/L | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct-03 | vs Chicago White Sox | L | 0-3 |
| Oct-05 | vs Chicago White Sox | L | 3-4 |
| Oct-07 | at Chicago White Sox | W | 9-3 |
| Oct-08 | at Chicago White Sox | W | 9-5 |
| Oct-10 | vs Chicago White Sox | W | 2-0 |
| Oct-12 | at Tampa Bay Rays | W | 7-3 |
| Oct-13 | at Tampa Bay Rays | L | 1-3 |
| Oct-15 | vs Tampa Bay Rays | W | 3-2 |
Starting Pitchers
| Player | Team | Record | ERA | Strikeouts | Innings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Martinez | Tampa Bay Rays | 15-6 | 3.10 | 109 | 180.0 |
| TBA | Cleveland Guardians | - | - | - | - |
Verdict
Nick Martinez as 2-0 as a starter against Cleveland during the regular season, and did not give up a single run in either outing.
So despite his underwhelming showing against the Yankees, the Rays do have the pitching advantage in this one, and they can make the most of it.
So despite his underwhelming showing against the Yankees, the Rays do have the pitching advantage in this one, and they can make the most of it.
Leigh Copson
Sports Editor • 25+ Years Experience, US & Combat Sports Specialist
US sports writer covering the NFL, NBA, NHL, boxing and MMA, with previews, predictions and betting tips across the major American leagues.
During his career at the Press Association and online sports sites including FreeTips and ExpertPicks.com, he has covered some of the biggest sporting events on the planet, including the Super Bowl, the Champions League Final and the World Cup Final.
He has also covered almost every major boxing match and UFC fight card during this time.. His specialist sports are American Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Football.