Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays Picks and Prediction, Sunday, September 7, 2025
Use Code WWWC It’s the conclusion of a weekend series on the diamond between a pair of American League teams in the Sunshine State as the Cleveland Guardians finish off a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays Sunday afternoon and we have you covered with our Guardians vs. Rays prediction. In the opening game of the series Friday night, Cleveland rolled to a 7-1 victory to draw first blood in the set. Will the Guardians take the series finale or will the Rays regroup on getaway day? This article was posted prior to the conclusion of the middle game of the set at George M. Steinbrenner Field Saturday night. Don’t go down on strikes! Increase your bankroll with our MLB Betting Picks! Read more about this Guardians vs. Rays prediction!
Guardians Trying to Stay in AL Wild Card Chase
Cleveland won for just the second time in six games as they took the opening game of this set Friday night. The Guardians entered Saturday 70-70 and stood third in the AL Central, 10 games behind the Tigers for the top spot. They were 2.5 games behind Seattle for the final wild card spot in the American League playoff picture. Against Tampa Bay Friday night, Cleveland finished with 12 hits as Jose Ramirez (run, two RBI) had three to lead the team. Austin Hedges (his fifth) went deep in the contest for the Guardians. Gavin Williams (10-5) earned the win as he threw seven innings, allowing one run on seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts, before handing things off to the bullpen.
Parker Messick is on the mound as he makes his fourth start of the season for the Guardians in this contest. He is 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA, a 1.327 WHIP, three walks and 14 strikeouts over 17.1 innings of work this season. Messick didn’t factor in the decision in his last start, which came against the Red Sox on the road Monday. He threw 3.2 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits with two walks and two strikeouts in a game the Guardians dropped 6-4. Messick earned the win in his lone career start against the Rays, which came at home on August 26. He threw seven innings, allowing no runs on four hits with no walks and six strikeouts in a 3-0 Guardians victory. In his fourth career start, Messick makes his first career start at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Messick was 5-6 with a 3.47 ERA, a 1.216 WHIP, 42 walks and 119 strikeouts over 98.2 innings in 20 starts with Triple-A Columbus of the International League.
Tampa Bay Trying to Get Back in Win Column
Tampa Bay had a seven-game win streak snapped as they were drubbed in the opening game of this set Friday night. The Rays entered Saturday 71-70 and stood fourth in the AL East, 11 games behind the Blue Jays for the top spot. They were 2.5 games behind Seattle for the final wild card spots in the American League. On Friday night against Cleveland, Tampa Bay finished with seven hits as Yandy Diaz and Josh Lowe each recording two. Junior Caminero hit his 41st homer of the season in a losing effort. Griffin Jax was the opener, tossing a scoreless inning, allowing two hits with no walks and one strikeout, but didn’t factor in the decision. Ian Seymour (3-1) took the loss as he threw four innings, allowing five runs (one earned on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
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Drew Rasmussen takes the ball for his 28th start of the season for the Rays in this contest. He is 10-5 with a 2.74 ERA, a 0.973 WHIP, 28 walks and 115 strikeouts over 134.2 innings of work this season. Rasmussen didn’t factor in the decision in his last start, which came against the Mariners Tuesday night. He threw five innings, allowing three runs on four hits with no walks and two strikeouts in a 6-5 Rays triumph. In his last three starts, Rasmussen has no record with a 3.71 ERA, a 0.941 WHIP, three walks and 13 strikeouts over 17 innings of work. Rasmussen makes his sixth career appearance, fourth start, against the Guardians. He has no record with a 4.97 ERA, a 1.184 WHIP, three walks and 12 strikeouts over 12.2 innings of work against them. Rasmussen is 5-5 with a 2.76 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP, 19 walks and 71 strikeouts over 81.2 innings of work in 16 career starts at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Guardians vs. Rays Pick
Moneyline Pick for Guardians vs. Rays
- Rays (4 units)
Tampa Bay took the loss in the series opener, snapping their seven-game win streak but they are the hotter team right now. The Rays have been solid offensively this season, especially at home. Cleveland hopes to see Messick bounce back after getting roughed up in his previous start by Boston. The Guardians are in the bottom five of the league in runs per game this season and that could be problematic against a Rays squad that is effective at putting runs on the board as the hosts. Rasmussen has pitched well at home this season and that helps carry Tampa Bay to victory here.
Over/Under Pick for Guardians vs. Rays
- Under (4 units)
Cleveland entered Saturday having stayed under the total in 69 of their 140 games, with five pushes, on the season. The Guardians are 27th in the majors with 3.91 runs per game, a number that climbs to four runs per game on the road. Cleveland has an average total of 8.17 runs per game and that remains flat at 8.17 runs per game on the road this season. Tampa Bay has seen the under post a 71-61-9 mark on the season entering Saturday night. The Rays are 12th with 4.55 runs per game, a number that climbs to 4.72 runs per game at home. Tampa Bay allows 4.14 runs per game, giving them an average total of 8.69 runs per game. That number jumps slightly to 8.94 runs per game at home on the year. Rasmussen pitches well at home and the Rays are unfamiliar with Messick. Lean toward the under here.
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