Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians AL Wild Card Game 2 Betting Preview

The Cleveland Guardians host the Tampa Bay Rays for Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series on Saturday afternoon. Cleveland was able to take the series opener by a score of 2-1, and they look to end it on Saturday.

Tampa Bay earned the final Wild Card spot in the American League, but they are no stranger to the postseason. The Rays have had some deep playoff runs in recent years, but they can’t afford another loss in this one. 

Cleveland stunned everyone by winning the AL Central Division title this season, and they now have momentum. The Guardians have home-field advantage for this entire series, and that mattered in the series opener. 

The Guardians are once again the betting favorites in Game 2, with moneyline odds set at (-120). 

Rays All About Pitching

The Tampa Bay Rays are going to come into Game 2 with the same exact formula, as they expect the pitching staff to dominate. Tampa Bay gave up just two runs in the series opener, and they will use the entire pitching staff in this game. 

Tyler Glasnow is going to start this game, and he spent nearly the entire season on the IL for the Rays. Glasnow has proven that he can be dominant in the postseason, but he might have to be perfect in this game.

The Rays just haven’t been able to find a consistent offensive attack all season long, and that was the case in the Game 1 loss on Friday. 

Ramirez Leading Guardians

It should come as no surprise that it was Jose Ramirez that belted the two-run home run to propel the Guardians in the series opener. Ramirez has been one of the best players in baseball this season, and he is good enough to carry the Guardians on a deep run.

Cleveland will need to find some more offense as the postseason moves along, but it’s going to be another cold day on Saturday. Don’t be surprised to see the Guardians starting runners or dropping down bunts in an effort to manufacture some runs.

Triston McKenzie starts for the Guardians in this game, and he was 11-11 during the regular season but had a terrific ERA of just 2.96. The bullpen should be well rested after Shane Bieber delivered a dominant start in the series opener. 

Guardians Close it Out

The series opener was a perfect example of how the Guardians must play if they are going to make a deep postseason run. Cleveland got some great pitching from Bieber, and then it was Jose Ramirez that stole the show on offense.

You can expect a little bit more offense in Game 2 of this series, but it’s going to be another tight matchup. The Guardians don’t want to see this game go on into a decisive Game 3, and it will be Ramirez that comes up with another clutch hit to get past Tampa Bay. 

Take the Cleveland Guardians (-120) as they find a way to get the job done yet again and beat the Tampa Bay Rays to advance.