Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Guardians Picks and Predictions July 13th 2024

Guardians Aim to Hold on to AL-Best Mark vs. Rays

The Cleveland Guardians, driving the Central Division, right now hold the best record in the American League as they get ready for Saturday evening’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida. Notwithstanding, their situation at the top is shaky, especially assuming their street battles go on before the All-Star break.

Guardians’ Standings and Street Battles

Cleveland (57-36, .613) sits only a half-game in front of the Baltimore Orioles (57-37, .606) for the AL’s best record. Regardless of their great overall exhibition, the Guardians have confronted challenges out and about, with a 27-25 away record that incorporates losing eight of their last ten street games. At home, they are prevailing, flaunting a league-best 30-11 record at Progressive Field.

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The Guardians were closed out for the second time in five games during their ongoing seven-game excursion, falling 2-0 to the Rays in Friday night’s series opener. This denotes the seventh shutout loss of the time for Cleveland, five of which have happened out and about. They have now lost three straight games and four of their last five.

Cleveland chief Stephen Vogt recognized areas of strength for the by Tampa Bay starter Taj Bradley, who has posted a 1.07 ERA in seven starts since June 8. Bradley held the Guardians to five hits and two strolls more than seven innings, striking out eight preceding the warm up area dominated.

“We didn’t lose this game because of the runs we gave up,” Vogt said. “We struggled. Taj Bradley was outstanding.”

“Another special performance,” Rays manager Kevin Cash added. “He’s been on just a really impressive run. He should feel really good about himself going into the All-Star break.”

Pitching Matchup: Zack Littell vs. Gavin Williams

On Saturday, the Rays will go to right-hander Zack Littell (3-6, 4.44 ERA), while the Guardians will counter with individual right-hander Gavin Williams (0-1, 4.82 ERA).

Littell has areas of strength for a record against the Guardians, holding a 3-0 record with a 2.20 ERA in nine vocation games (one start). Nonetheless, he is falling off one of his most obviously terrible trips of the time, allowing seven procured runs on nine hits more than four innings in a 13-2 misfortune to the Texas Officers on Sunday.

Gavin Williams, making his third start of the time in the wake of starting the year on the harmed list with right elbow distress, will take the hill for Cleveland. In his last trip, Williams pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts yet didn’t factor into the choice in a 1-0 misfortune to the Detroit Tigers on Monday.

“I felt that Gavin was perfect,” Vogt said. “Velo was clearly there, (and he was) hitting his spots with his fastball. Both breaking balls were great. Indeed, even tossed a pleasant changeup in there.”

Williams exhibited his strong arm, finishing out at 99.1 mph with his fastball and averaging 97.5 mph with his four-seamer.

“It’s exceptionally uplifting,” said Williams, who went 3-5 with a 3.29 ERA in 16 starts as a tenderfoot in 2023. “That is to say, I understand what I can do. I understand what’s conceivable. … It will go up from here.”

Williams has confronted the Rays once previously, keep a 1.80 ERA in that appearance.

Guardians’ Challenge

The Guardians should beat their street misfortunes and benefit from areas of strength for them to keep up with their situation as the best group in the American League. With the Orioles close behind them, each game counts. Saturday’s matchup will be a urgent test for Cleveland as they plan to get a triumph and head into the All-Star break with momentum.

The Rays, then again, will hope to proceed with their winning ways and disturb the Guardians’ arrangements. With the two groups looking at huge accomplishments, the game vows to be a serious and exciting challenge.