The Cleveland Guardians claimed Game 1 of this AL Wild Card Round series with a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Now, they have the opportunity to shut the door on Saturday.
Will the Guardians take care of business in another low-scoring affair, or can the Rays force a Game 3?
Updated Rays vs. Guardians Game 2 Odds
| Rays Odds | -102 |
| Guardians Odds | -116 |
| Over/Under | 6 (-108/-112) |
| Time | 12:07 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
| Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
Rays Turn to Glasnow
Taking the mound for Tampa Bay in Game 2 is right-hander Tyler Glasnow. After missing almost the entire season due to Tommy John surgery, Glasnow made two starts in the final week of the season as preparation for the playoffs.
While he did not go any deeper than four innings in either of those contests, he looked sharp as he finished with a 1.35 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. One of those games was against Cleveland, a game in which he allowed just one run on two hits in three innings.
The Guardians won that game 2-1, with the under obviously cashing. In fact, the under has hit in both of Glasnow's starts this season. With the season on the line, Glasnow should be ready to go as deep into this game as necessary, which is great for the Rays.
Through three career starts against Cleveland, the right-hander boasts a 2.12 ERA and 0.71 WHIP. There have been three or fewer total runs scored in all three of those contests.
Following Glasnow is a strong bullpen. Since September 1, the Rays' relief pitching ranks 12th in the league in ERA, sixth in WHIP, eighth in BA, 10th in SLG, and seventh in wOBA.
However, this pitching staff may not get much run support as Tampa Bay is slated to go against right-hander Triston McKenzie. When facing right-handed pitching, the Rays rank 26th in the league in BA, 29th in SLG, 29th in OPS and 28th in wOBA since the beginning of September.
Across 45 career plate appearances against McKenzie, this current Tampa Bay roster possesses a mere .167 BA, .238 SLG and .208 wOBA. Including Friday's Game 1, the under has hit in seven of the Rays' last nine games.
McKenzie the Man For Cleveland
McKenzie has been nothing short of spectacular this season.
Through 31 appearances, the right-hander boasts a 2.96 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. Catching fire in the second half of the season, McKenzie enters these playoffs in great form as he is 4-3 with a 2.27 ERA and 0.87 WHIP over his last 11 starts.
I talked about Glasnow's start against Cleveland in the previous section where the Guardians won 2-1. Their starter in that game? McKenzie.
In that outing, he allowed just one run on three hits through six innings. Between his two career starts against Tampa Bay, McKenzie possesses a 2.25 ERA and 0.83 WHIP.
The under hit in both of those games. Following McKenzie is one of the league's hottest bullpens.
Since September 1, the Guardians' relief pitching ranks fourth in the league in ERA, second in WHIP, second in BA, first in SLG, and second in wOBA. However, this pitching staff may not get much run support against Glasnow.
Through 22 career plate appearances against Glasnow, this current Guardians roster possesses a .150 BA and .287 wOBA.
Rays-Guardians Pick
The under hit in Game 1, and I think we should expect more of the same in Game 2. I trust both of these starting pitchers and each bullpen.
Meanwhile, each lineup has struggled in this specific matchup. Like Friday, the weather could also help us as the forecast calls for another cold day with winds blowing inwards/diagonally.
Including Friday's game, the under has hit in each of the last three meetings between these two clubs, with Cleveland winning each matchup 2-1. On Saturday, expect another pitching duel.
This total may move to 5.5 before first pitch, and I would rather lay more juice on 6 than take the under at that number.
Pick: Rays/Guardians u6 (-112) | Play up to (-130)
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