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Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays August 27th 2025
The Tampa Bay Rays visit the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. The game is set for Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 1:10 PM. Fans can catch the action on MLBN.
Tampa Bay holds a 64-68 record and is ranked 4th in the AL East. Cleveland has a 65-66 record, placing them 3rd in the AL Central. The Rays’ Drew Rasmussen, with a 2.62 ERA, will pitch against the Guardians’ Slade Cecconi, who has a 4.41 ERA.
Rays vs Guardians Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians
- Venue: Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH
- Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
- Betting Odds: Rays Moneyline -131, Guardians Moneyline +111, Rays Runline -1.5 (+130), Guardians Runline +1.5 (-154), Total Over 8.0 (-105), Total Under 8.0 (-115)
The Rays Can Win If…
The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a tough 3-0 loss against the Cleveland Guardians. Despite the loss, Yandy Díaz had a solid performance, going 3 for 4 with a double. Shane Baz pitched well, striking out seven over six innings, but the team couldn’t provide run support.
The Rays have a strong chance to win with Drew Rasmussen on the mound. His ERA of 2.62 and WHIP of 0.99 show he can control the game. The Rays’ lineup, led by Junior Caminero with 39 home runs, can provide the needed offense.
Key stats favor the Rays, such as their first-place ranking in stolen bases with 172. Their ability to manufacture runs and apply pressure on the base paths is crucial. With a solid pitching rotation and offensive power, the Rays are well-equipped to secure a win.
The Guardians Can Win If…
The Cleveland Guardians are coming off a strong 3-0 win against the Tampa Bay Rays. Parker Messick led the charge with seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and striking out six. Key performances from Kyle Manzardo and Brayan Rocchio helped secure the win, each contributing an RBI.
The Guardians’ pitching staff has been reliable, with a team ERA of 3.94, ranking 13th in the league. Their ability to limit opponents to a .243 batting average against is a strength. Slade Cecconi will start this game, looking to build on his recent performance where he gave up only two runs in six innings against the Rangers.
Offensively, the Guardians have power in their lineup with José Ramírez leading the team in home runs and RBIs. While their overall batting average is .223, ranked 18th, they have shown they can produce runs when needed. The Guardians also have speed on the bases, ranking 11th in stolen bases, which could be a factor in this game.
The Lean
The Rays are favored with a moneyline of -131 against the Guardians at +111. The Rays have a stronger batting average and on-base percentage compared to the Guardians. My model projects the Rays to win with a score of 5-3, making them the pick for the moneyline.
The total for the game is set at 8.0 runs, with the over at -105 and the under at -115. Both teams have mid-tier pitching stats, but the Rays’ offense is likely to score more. My model predicts a total of 8 runs, so the recommendation is to take the over.
Future Odds Shifting?
See Updated MLB Futures
Rays, Guardians Set for Decisive Game of Well-Pitched Series
The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians have delivered two straight nights of dominant rookie pitching. First, Ian Seymour dazzled with five shutout innings in Monday’s opener. Then, Parker Messick answered with seven scoreless frames Tuesday for his first big league win.
That leaves the series finale in the hands of Drew Rasmussen (10-5, 2.62 ERA) and Slade Cecconi (5-6, 4.41 ERA), who will both look to match the pace and precision set earlier this week.
Fans following MLB scores and odds know this matchup has been defined more by pitching than offense — something not often said in today’s game.
Rasmussen’s consistency vs. Cecconi’s struggles
Rasmussen hasn’t lost since June 19 against the Baltimore Orioles, going 4-0 with a 2.64 ERA across his last 10 starts. Although he has yet to beat Cleveland, his 2024 All-Star campaign has been steady.
On the other side, Cecconi is mired in a six-start winless streak. Since July 18, he’s 0-2 with a 5.51 ERA, struggling to get past the sixth inning in most outings.
Starting pitcher comparison
| Pitcher | Record | ERA | Last 5 Starts | Career vs. Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drew Rasmussen (TB) | 10-5 | 2.62 | 2.64 ERA, 4-0 | 0-0, 6.75 ERA |
| Slade Cecconi (CLE) | 5-6 | 4.41 | 0-2, 5.51 ERA | First meeting |
Rays’ bats finding key contributors
Offensively, Tampa Bay has leaned on Yandy Díaz, who is riding a nine-game road hitting streak (.410, 16-for-39). Rookie shortstop Carson Williams has also made an immediate impact, collecting a hit in each of his first four MLB games.
That balance has allowed the Rays to stay in the thick of the playoff chase, a trend that makes them one of the more attractive clubs for those following MLB picks.
Rays’ recent hitting leaders
| Player | Stat Line (Last 10 games) |
|---|---|
| Yandy Díaz | .410 AVG, 1 HR, 6 RBIs |
| Carson Williams | Hit in first 4 MLB games |
| Christian Bethancourt | 3 HR, 7 RBIs |
Guardians’ offense still searching for answers
Cleveland finally snapped its 28-inning scoreless streak with three first-inning runs on Tuesday, but the bats went quiet again after that. Steven Kwan, Kyle Manzardo, and Brayan Rocchio opened with singles, but the Guardians didn’t record another hit the rest of the night.
To make matters worse, the team may soon part ways with veteran first baseman Carlos Santana, who was reportedly placed on outright waivers. The 39-year-old slugger, in his third stint with Cleveland, has hit .225 with 11 homers and 52 RBIs this season.
For a team fading fast in the standings, the focus may already be shifting toward 2025. Those watching MLB expert betting guide updates know that roster changes like this often impact clubhouse morale and betting trends alike.
What’s at stake
The Guardians have dropped nine of their last 11 games, losing ground in the postseason race. For them, the finale is less about the standings and more about salvaging momentum and evaluating young arms.
For the Rays, the goal is to keep stacking wins and lean on their pitching depth as October approaches. With Rasmussen on the mound and Díaz leading the charge offensively, Tampa Bay has a chance to close the series strong.
Whether you’re following the playoff chase, checking MLB teams, or tracking betting angles, this matchup offers one more test of how far strong pitching can carry a team.
