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Horse Racing Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays Run Total Best Bet: Let the Playoffs Begin
Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays Run Total Best Bet: Friday, October 7th
The MLB campaign has reached the post-season, as the Wildcard Playoffs begin on Friday with the World Series trophy at stake. Our resident baseball pundit Ej Garr will be handing out the best betting advice available right up until a champion is crowned.
In this article:
Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays Preview
October 7, 17:07 (UK time)
It’s hot in Cleveland and we’re not just talking about the weather anymore! The Guardians will get to host the Wildcard Playoff series with the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, and the first team to win two games will advance to the next round.
The Guardians arrive at the post-season playing their best baseball while the Rays simply fell apart down the stretch of the regular season. The Rays were not only swept by the Red Sox in the final 3-game series of the campaign, but losses from 7 of their last 8 games are not the best way to head to the playoffs.
The line setters have issued the Guardians as the favourites to win the series at 1.83, which is the exact line I am looking at for game 1 of the series this afternoon. I am of the mindset that because of the way Tampa limped into the post-season, the Guardians will advance to the next stage.
So let’s talk game 1 first. We have Shane McClanahan (12 – 8; 2.54 ERA) expected to start against Shane Bieber (13 – 8; 2.88 ERA) and the line setters expect them both to pitch well setting a low 6.5 on this total. I expect the two of them to pitch well, and one thing we know is that Tampa’s offense completely disappears when McClanahan takes the bump. The biggest reason McClanahan only has 12 wins is that the Rays scored 1 run for him too often. It makes it extremely difficult to stay mentally focused when you know that one mistake through an entire start can put your team down a run or two, and that might end up being all it takes to cost you a win.
The Rays’ offense was downright offensive down the stretch of the regular season if you get my drift, and that’s why they are on the road and not back home at the Trop for this series. Tampa Bay could have just as easily earned the higher seed had they not completely fallen apart as I mentioned.
It is tough for me to simply ignore how Tampa Bay ended the regular season, and we all know the crazy run that Cleveland went on to now be hosting a Wildcard Playoff series. I am sorry, but I have Cleveland to win game 1, likely take game 2, and this series will be done in short order.
Tampa Bay can’t hit a baseball to save their lives and the Guardians are playing inspired and are at home with fans who will be making their presence known today. The weekend starts early for this high-noon first game of the playoffs with 4 games being played today overall.
What you need to do is take advantage of four bets to make before this series starts. Tampa Bay is going to fold like a lawn chair so the 1.83 option for Cleveland to advance is your first bet to make.
The Runs – Hits – Errors prop for game 1 is listed at 22.5 and I see 1.90 for the Under making that bet #2.
The Guardians will win game 1 at 1.83, and I see the 1st-5 Inning total for the home team is being offered at 1.5 with an even money value. All of them are SOLD! Enjoy your weekend, and I will see you next week for more playoff baseball.
Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays Best Bet
I will put the RHE prop as my main selection for game 1, but you see all of the offers I am throwing at you above. Good Luck and be on the lookout for my season-opening NHL article and my NCAA Football articles that are already posted for the weekend.
- Selection: Game 1 RHE Under 22.5
- Best odds: 1.90 (Pinnacle)
- Stakes: 4/10
Odds as of 9:00 am October 7th, 2022. Odds may now differ.
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