T.M. Selection: Tampa Bay Rays.

I like the Tampa Bay Rays to win this game against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday. The Rays haven't looked good in their games lately, losing 3/4 to the Orioles in their previous series, but I think they are going to bounce back in this game now that they are back in their ballpark. They have not looked good on offense in their games lately but their pitching has still looked great and has kept a lot of their games on the lower scoring side, giving themselves the best chance to win in these kinds of games. The Guardians have looked really good in their games lately, winning 2/3 of their previous 3 games, but they have also been playing a Red Sox team that has big issues with their pitching staff and I think they are going to run into trouble here against this Rays pitching staff. Jeffrey Springs (3-2, 2.50 ERA) is up for the Rays here and he has looked great all year with his pitching. He hasn't had many starts where he gave up more than 2 runs and he only gave up 1 run in his most recent start too. He doesn't normally pitch very deep into his starts but he also a great bullpen that has been pitching well behind him here, and I expect them to shut down the Guardians lineup here. The Guardians lineup hasn't looked great being really up and down in their games, but their bullpen has been an issue lately giving up late runs and it has been costly for them. Shane Bieber (4-6, 3.55 ERA) is up for the Guardians here and he has looked good this year but he has been looking shaky in his starts lately and I think he is going to have another shaky start here. He has given up 5+ runs in 2/3 of his previous 3 starts and he didn't look that great in June either, giving up 3+ runs in almost all of his starts that month. I don't think he is going to pitch well here and I also expect the Guardians bullpen to blow this game for them too by giving up some late runs here. I like the Rays to win this game.

T.M. Prediction: 5-2 Rays.