Cleveland Indians vs. Tampa Bay Rays: MLB Betting Odds and Predictions

The Cleveland Indians (46-43) and Tampa Bay Rays (46-44) will continue their American League series on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 ET

Cleveland Indians at Tampa Bay Rays

Indians OF Shin-Soo Choo is swinging a hot bat over the last 24 games

Cleveland relied on its one-two punch at the backend of its bullpen, picking up a 3-2 road victory over Tampa Bay on Monday night. “I don’t know what we’d do without Pestano and Chris Perez,” stated Indians manager Manny Acta after the game. The combination has led the club to plenty of victories, going 27-3 when both pitchers are involved in the same game. Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is the player to watch offensively, hitting .383 with five home runs and 19 runs scored in the last 24 games. Cleveland is 10-17 against left-handed starters this year.

Indians starting pitcher Josh Tomlin (5-5, 5.45 ERA) has won his last two starts against the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays, allowing six runs and nine hits over 13 combined frames in those efforts. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 6.45 ERA in seven games (six starts) on the road, serving up seven home runs in 37.2 innings, while allowing the opposition to hit .309 against him. In three lifetime starts versus the Rays, Tomlin has garnered an even 1-1 record and 3.79 ERA, including a 3-1 home victory last time out.

Tampa Bay has now lost 12 of its last 18 games and most of the blame can be placed on an offense without star Evan Longoria in the lineup, hitting just .202 with runners in scoring position over that span. The Rays may need to start sitting first baseman Carlos Pena due to this recent performance, as he’s batting .182 with 20 strikeouts in 12 games this month. Tampa Bay is 7-8 as a home favorite of -125 to -150, with the “under” going 8-5 in those contests.

Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore (5-6, 4.42 ERA) hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations that were placed on him, as he looks to rebound from a 7-3 road defeat against the Indians in his only career start against them. The left-hander is 4-3 with a 3.79 ERA in 10 home outings, issuing 24 walks and striking out 58 batters in 59.1 frames. Moore’s surprising weakness this year is the ability to get out left-handed hitters, as they are batting .280 against him (.244 RHH).

Sports bettors will likely back the Rays due to their 14-6 mark as a favorite of -151 to -200, while the Indians are 2-6 in Tomlin’s last eight efforts as a road underdog of +110 to +150.