The American League Wild Card matches will start with the Rays vs Guardians on Friday. Tampa Bay Rays will visit the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Also, it will be a matchup between Shane McClanahan and Shane Bieber.
According to online bookie software sources, McClanahan is returning from a shoulder injury. In more than 19 innings, his strikeout rate is 15 percent, which is lower than his career rate of 29 percent.
Rays vs Guardians Betting Picks
McClanahan’s called strike whiff percentage dropped from 34% before the injury to 23 percent in his last four starts. His rate of swinging strikes (whiffs), 17 percent before his injury, has dropped to 9.8 percent, which is cause for concern.
People who bet on baseball don’t see him going Over on his 5.5 strikeout prop, as he has struck out just 12 batters over his last 19 innings and may have a shorter leash due to the high stakes and a fresh bullpen.
Despite the high tax of -166, backing him against the Guardians is a good idea because they have the lowest strikeout rate in baseball at 18.2 percent, which is about seven points lower than the highest team (LAA).
At first, the Guardians were -130 home favorites, but the odds dropped to -125 and even -120. According to sports news reports, the Guardians triumphed in their season series 4-2, including a 2-1 home record. In a home start on September 27 against the Rays, Shane Bieber was a -150 favorite at the closing line, but should the line be closer because of Shane McClanahan?
Our Conclusion
Gametime: 10/08/2022 at 12:07 PM ET
Bet on the Guardians at -120
Ultimately, Bieber is on fire, and McClanahan worries us, so we’re picking Cleveland to win at home.
