Tampa Bay (28-18) at Cleveland (25-23)
When: Thursday, May 23rd, 2019
Where: Progressive Field,
Cleveland, Ohio
Time: 6:10 ET | TV: FS Sun, STO
Opening Odds: Tampa Bay -150/8
The Tampa Bay Rays look to gain some ground in the AL East this weekend after a big win on Wednesday. The Rays will head to Cleveland to take on the Indians in a four-game series beginning Thursday night at Progressive Field. Tampa was stymied by Clayton Kershaw and the L.A. Dodgers on Tuesday, then couldn’t get anything going Wednesday against Rich Hill before exploding off two relievers in the seventh innings. The Rays turned a 1-1 game into an 8-1 triumph thanks to a pair of three-run homers by Avisail Garcia and Kevin Kiermaier. The win kept the Rays within two games of the first place Yankees in the division standings and firmly in the top spot of the wild card race. Cleveland, meanwhile, was swept at home by the Oakland A’s in three games and have seen their deficit in the AL Central grow to seven games behind Minnesota. Francisco Lindor had a pair of singles in the loss to extend his hitting streak to seven games but the Indians went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Jason Kipnis has reached base safely in 17 consecutive games but is still batting just .218.
Pitchers: Rays – Ryan Yarbrough (2-1, 8.10) | Indians – Adam Plutko (1-0, 1.50)
The Rays will likely open the game with a reliever for the third straight game and right-hander Hunter Wood could be the man for the second time in three days. Wood allowed one unearned run in two innings of a loss Tuesday against the Dodgers before turning things over to Jalen Beeks. Ryan Yarbrough could be called up to follow Wood after allowing two runs over 11 innings with 18 strikeouts in his last two appearances with Triple-A Durham. Blake Snell is another option but the Rays appear to be saving him for Friday’s contest against Shane Bieber.
10 CENT MLB LINES & 1% CASH BACK
Adam Plutko will be on the mound for Cleveland in the series opener and is coming off a gem in his first start of the season. Plutko allowed just one hit and one run – solo homer – while striking out four over six innings in earning the win versus Baltimore last Saturday. He made 12 starts in 17 appearances for the Indians last year and served-up 21 homers in 76.2 innings with a 5.28 ERA. Plutko is 4-2 with a 4.24 ERA at home in his career.
We are going to wait and see who the Rays officially name as the starter before making our final selection. Sportsbooks have Snell going as of Wednesday night but all indications I’ve been reading is that he’s pitching Friday instead. Either way I’m taking the Rays. Yes, Plutko was sharp in his last outing, but that was the Orioles. If Snell goes, I’m taking the runline. If its anyone else, I’ll take moneyline.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for Thursday. He is 66-41 +1942 units on the season after a 16-3 run!
Pick: Rays -128
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BETTING TRENDS:
Rays are 13-3 in their last 16 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Rays are 15-5 in their last 20 vs. American League Central.
Rays are 6-2 in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Rays are 11-4 in their last 15 during game 1 of a series.
Rays are 19-7 in their last 26 games on grass.
Rays are 42-16 in their last 58 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Rays are 24-10 in their last 34 road games.
Rays are 1-4 in their last 5 games following a win.
Rays are 1-4 in their last 5 Thursday games.
Rays are 1-5 in their last 6 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Indians are 4-0 in their last 4 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Indians are 5-0 in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Indians are 9-1 in their last 10 vs. American League East.
Indians are 9-3 in their last 12 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Indians are 8-3 in their last 11 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Indians are 39-15 in their last 54 Thursday games.
Indians are 3-8 in their last 11 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Indians are 2-7 in their last 9 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Indians are 1-4 in their last 5 during game 1 of a series.
Indians are 2-5 in Plutko’s last 7 starts on grass.
Over is 7-1-1 in Rays last 9 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Under is 7-1 in Rays last 8 road games.
Under is 7-1 in Rays last 8 on grass.
Under is 4-1 in Rays last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 22-7-2 in Rays last 31 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 10-4-1 in Rays last 15 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 23-10-1 in Rays last 34 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 4-0 in Indians last 4 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in Indians last 4 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 7-1 in Indians last 8 Thursday games.
Under is 7-1 in Indians last 8 games following a loss.
Under is 5-1 in Indians last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 5-1 in Indians last 6 home games.
Under is 4-1 in Indians last 5 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Indians last 5 vs. American League East.
Over is 13-4 in Indians last 17 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 19-7-1 in Indians last 27 overall.
Under is 19-7-1 in Indians last 27 on grass.
Under is 5-2 in Indians last 7 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 7-0 in Plutko’s last 7 starts on grass.
Under is 4-0 in Plutko’s last 4 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 5-0 in Plutko’s last 5 home starts.
Under is 7-1 in Plutko’s last 8 starts overall.
Under is 4-1 in Plutko’s last 5 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Under is 4-1 in Plutko’s last 5 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Plutko’s last 5 starts vs. American League East.
Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in Cleveland.
Rays are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Cleveland.
Rays are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Under is 7-2-1 in the last 10 meetings.
