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Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays August 26th 2025
The Tampa Bay Rays head to Progressive Field to take on the Cleveland Guardians. The Rays are coming in with a record of 64-67, holding the 4th spot in the AL East. They have been on a winning streak, taking their last three games and going 6-4 in their last ten.
On the other side, the Guardians have a record of 64-66, placing them 3rd in the AL Central. They are currently on a rough patch with a six-game losing streak and a 1-9 record over their last ten. The game is set for Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 6:40 PM, with light rain expected.
Rays vs Guardians Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians
- Venue: Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH
- Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2025
- Betting Odds: Rays Moneyline +103, Guardians Moneyline -122
The Rays Can Win If…
The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a strong 9-0 win against the Cleveland Guardians. Ian Seymour delivered an impressive performance, pitching 5 innings with only 1 hit allowed and 8 strikeouts. Junior Caminero led the offense with two home runs, contributing to his 4 runs and 3 RBIs.
The Rays have shown consistent hitting power, ranking 5th in batting average at .252. They also lead the league in stolen bases with 172, adding a speed element to their game. Their pitching staff is solid, with a team ERA of 3.97 and ranked 6th in quality starts.
Junior Caminero is a key player to watch with 39 home runs, ranking 4th in the league. Yandy Díaz adds depth with a .280 batting average and 22 home runs. With Shane Baz on the mound, the Rays have a chance to extend their winning streak, despite his 5.22 ERA this season.
The Guardians Can Win If…
The Cleveland Guardians are looking to bounce back after a tough loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, 9-0. In that game, Tanner Bibee pitched six innings, giving up five earned runs. Despite the loss, José Ramírez continues to be a key player, leading the team in home runs and RBIs this season.
The Guardians have a strong chance to win with Parker Messick on the mound. He has an impressive ERA of 1.35 and a WHIP of 1.20. The Guardians’ pitching staff ranks 11th in batting average against, which could help them control the Rays’ offense.
Offensively, the Guardians have players who can make a difference. José Ramírez’s batting average of .286 and 26 home runs lead the team. With players like Kyle Manzardo and Carlos Santana also contributing, the Guardians have the potential to turn things around at home.
The Lean
The Rays are the pick to win with a moneyline of +103. The Guardians have a moneyline of -122, but the Rays’ better batting average and on-base percentage give them an edge. The model projects a score of Rays 4, Guardians 3, suggesting a close game.
For the over/under, take the under at 7.5 (-105). Both teams have similar earned run averages, and the model projects a total score of 7. The pitching stats indicate a low-scoring game, making the under a solid choice.
Future Odds Shifting?
See Updated MLB Futures
Junior Caminero, Rays Aim to Extend Guardians’ Struggles
Junior Caminero’s MLB journey has come full circle. Back in 2019, the Cleveland organization — now the Cleveland Guardians — signed him as an amateur free agent. Just two years later, they shipped him to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Tobias Myers, a pitcher who never threw a single game for Cleveland.
Fast forward to today, and Caminero is making his former club regret that trade. On Monday night, he crushed his 38th and 39th homers of the season, collected four hits, swiped a base, and scored four times in a dominant 9-0 win for Tampa Bay.
Manager Kevin Cash couldn’t hide his excitement after the game:
“He’s a strong man that can really carry a baseball. We’ve got the best seat in the house watching those at-bats.”
Caminero chasing franchise history
Caminero now sits tied with Brandon Lowe and Carlos Peña for the second-most home runs in a single season in Rays history. Peña still holds the top spot with 46 bombs back in 2007.
Despite the revenge narrative, Caminero insists he holds no grudge against the Guardians:
“That’s not in my mind or in my heart. They know what I have.”
Pitching matchup: Shane Baz vs. Parker Messick
The series continues Tuesday night in Cleveland, with two pitchers at very different points in their careers.
- Rays starter Shane Baz (8-10, 5.22 ERA) is looking to snap a rough stretch, having lost seven straight decisions. His last outing was particularly tough — five homers allowed in just three innings against the New York Yankees.
- Guardians rookie Parker Messick (0-0, 1.35 ERA) impressed in his debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks, going 6 2/3 innings while striking out six.
Career numbers at a glance
Here’s how both pitchers stack up so far:
| Pitcher | Record | ERA | Innings | Strikeouts | HR Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Baz | 8-10 | 5.22 | 112 | 121 | 28 |
| Parker Messick | 0-0 | 1.35 | 6.2 | 6 | 0 |
This will be the first career matchup for both against their respective opponents.
Guardians’ slump reaching historic lows
The Guardians are mired in one of their worst offensive droughts in decades. They’ve been shut out in three straight games and haven’t scored in their last 28 innings — their longest scoreless stretch since 1991.
Cleveland has lost six in a row and is just 1-9 since August 15, leaving their postseason hopes hanging by a thread.
Frustrations boiling over
The struggles have created tension in the dugout. On Monday, starting pitcher Tanner Bibee and manager Stephen Vogt exchanged words during the game. Vogt later explained the situation:
“Because of the way things are going, emotions are high right now with everybody. Tanner is one of the biggest competitors on the team and he was trying to fire up the team. I told him, ‘Not now, take it downstairs.’ We chatted postgame and settled it out.”
Guardians’ recent scoring drought
| Stretch | Runs Scored | Runs Allowed | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 3 games | 0 | 24 | 0-3 |
| Last 10 games | 18 | 54 | 1-9 |
What’s next for both teams?
The Rays, bolstered by Caminero’s power, are looking to climb higher in the playoff race and keep pressure on division rivals like the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles.
For Cleveland, it’s now about damage control. With their offense sputtering and playoff hopes fading, they need Messick and the pitching staff to steady the ship while the bats try to wake up.
Fans and bettors following the action can dive deeper into MLB odds and expert picks at:
