Guardians vs Rays MLB Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (7/12)

Today’s Guardians vs. Rays MLB predictions and best bets are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from MLB odds to the NBA and everything in between.

---

The Cleveland Guardians (57-35) aim to further solidify their AL Central lead when they begin a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays (46-47) at Tropicana Field on Friday.

The Guardians will try to avoid a third straight loss tonight following a 10-1 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Tigers. Meanwhile, the Rays are coming off a 5-4 win over the New York Yankees that saw Brad Lowe lead by example by tallying three hits and an RBI in four at-bats.

Can Cleveland break out of its slump? Or will Tampa Bay extend the visitor’s woes?

Let’s answer those questions while highlighting the best MLB bets as we dive into today’s Guardians vs. Rays predictions and picks.

2024 MLB Betting Picks Record: 54-58-1 (48.2%)

MLB Betting Today: Guardians vs Rays (7/12)

Guardians vs Rays Game Information

• Matchup: Cleveland Guardians (57-35, 27-24 Away) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (46-47, 25-26 Home)
• Venue & Location: Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, FL)
• Date: Friday, July 12, 2024
• Game Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Guardians vs. Rays: MLB.TV, Fubo, Apple TV+

Guardians vs Rays MLB Probable Pitchers

• Guardians: Carlos Carrasco (16 starts — 3-6, 5.22 ERA)
• Rays: Taj Bradley (11 starts — 3-4, 3.23 ERA)

Rays vs Guardians MLB Odds & Spread

Rays vs. Guardians MLB odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Friday, July 12 at 9:44 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Guardians vs Rays Run Line

• Cleveland Guardians +1.5 (-175)
• Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+155)

Rays vs Guardians Over/Under

• Over 8 Runs (-105)
• Under 8 Runs (-115)

Guardians vs Rays Moneyline

• Cleveland Guardians (+126)
• Tampa Bay Rays (-137)

---

How to Bet on 2024 MLB Season

Hoping to get in on the 2024 World Series betting action? Want to wager on more than just the Guardians vs. Rays series? Betting News has your baseball needs covered from March to November.

We have many baseball betting resources, ranging from daily MLB odds and betting predictions to expert picks. You can find them below to help you get started:

• MLB Betting Articles
• MLB Betting Odds
• MLB Picks Page

---

Guardians vs Rays MLB Betting Trends

• Cleveland is 1-4 straight up in its last five road games.
• Tampa Bay is 7-3 straight up in its last 10 home games.
• The total hit the Over in five of Cleveland’s last six games.
• The total hit the Under in four of Tampa Bay’s last six games as the favorite.
• The total hit the Over in each of the last five Cleveland-Tampa Bay matchups at Tropicana Field.

Guardians vs Rays Predictions & MLB Picks Today (7/12)

The Guardians enter tonight’s tilt as the AL Central leaders, however, their lead could disappear if their slump continues. Despite a strong start to the year, they’re just 6-9 SU across their last 15 games. Cleveland has also lost three of its last four outings, getting outscored 24-15 along the way.

The Rays were dealing with their own slump recently, however, momentum has shifted following their two wins in three games against the Yankees. Tampa Bay now gets to stay in town for another series at Tropicana Field, where it is 7-3 SU in the last 10 home games.

Although both sides are heading in opposite directions, it’s worth noting that the Guardians are 12-7 SU (63.2%) against AL East clubs this season. Conversely, the Rays are 8-10 SU (44.4%) when facing an AL Central team.

And while the odds are in their favor tonight, the Rays only have a 52.9% winning percentage as the home favorite in 2024 — 12th-worst in the MLB. Meanwhile, the Guardians have a 55.6% success rate as road underdogs (6th).

The Guardians thrive when they’re against the odds on the road. 

Tampa Bay must also deal with the fact that it hasn’t had much recent success against Cleveland. In the last 15 games between these teams, the Guardians have beaten the Rays 10 times, which includes three victories in the last four meetings.

Nevertheless, the Guardians’ shot at victory depends on which version of Carlos Carrasco takes the mound. The veteran right-handed hurler has been shaky with a 5.22 ERA through 16 starts, however, his play has been on the upswing recently, highlighted by a 3.68 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 20 innings across his last four appearances.

Having said that, he’s also 0-3 with a 6.10 ERA in his last four games against Tampa Bay.

Carrasco must maintain his recent play if he wants to outduel Rays RHP Taj Bradley. The former 2018 fifth-rounder has also been playing some of his best baseball of the season recently. He’s gone 1-2 with a 1.29 ERA in his last six starts, holding opposing batters to a .184/.261/.264 slash line along the way.

Rays RHP Taj Bradley has been red-hot since the beginning of June. Can he maintain that momentum? 

With the way the Guardians are struggling, let’s back the Rays to win. Tampa Bay is feeling good about itself after a series win over New York and is a good spot to keep things going as long as Bradley keeps up his strong play. It could wind up being close, however, the Rays are in a better position to win.

But no matter who wins, let’s take the Under on the 8-run total. A low-scoring affair is likely given that the Under is 16-10-1 when Cleveland is the road underdog and 19-15 when Tampa Bay is the home favorite. Additionally, Carrasco’s last 10 starts saw an average of 7.5 runs scored while all but one of Bradley’s 11 previous appearances featured seven or fewer total runs.

Guardians vs. Rays MLB Prediction: TB wins

Best Guardians vs. Rays Bet: u8 Total Runs (-115)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your Guardians vs. Rays MLB predictions today at BetOnline

Best Guardians vs Rays MLB Player Prop (7/12)

You can’t go wrong with a handful of Guardians vs. Rays player props, including Carlos Carrasco o2.5 earned runs (-102).

Even though it’s the Under that’s favored on this prop, backing the Over makes more sense. Carrasco has surrendered more than 2.5 earned runs in exactly half of his 16 appearances thus far, which includes allowing the Over in both of his last two starts. The Over also hit in three of his last four matchups against the Rays, allowing at least six earned runs on each occasion.

While the Rays don’t score a ton of runs, history suggests that the Over is the way to go this evening.

Best Guardians vs. Rays MLB Prop Bet: Carlos Carrasco o2.5 earned runs (-102)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your MLB picks today at BetOnline

---

More MLB Betting Stories

• 2024 World Series Prediction & Odds
• 2024 MLB Home Run Leader Predictions & Odds
• 2024 AL/NL MVP Predictions & Picks
• 2024 AL/NL Cy Young Predictions & Picks