Postseason Pitching Duel: Sunday Best Bets in the MLB

TonesTakes

Written by: TonesTakes

Published: Sun Oct 18, 2026, 12:30 pm ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

Rays vs. Yankees (September 9): Will Rasmussen set the stage for a Tampa triumph? cover

mlb

Tampa Bay Rays logo
Live
Cleveland Guardians logo

Tampa Bay Rays
Odds

Spread

Total

Moneyline

-1.5

142

6.5

-105o

-121

Cleveland Guardians
Odds

Spread

Total

Moneyline

+3.0

-110

6

-115u

+375

See Picks & Statistics For The Game

Last night saw a win with the Tampa Bay Rays going over their team total in a 7-3 win. YTD mark sits at 54-37 for a profit of 23.64 Units. Tonight we'll have a pivotal Game 5 between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Guardians. With the series tied a 2 games a piece the winner of Game 5 will have a very good chance at winning this series.

How will Game 5 play out? Let's dive into the Best Bets but Before we do, if you are looking for more information on how to bet baseball; take a look at our MLB Betting Guide.

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Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Guardians Predictions

Rays vs. Rangers (May 30): Rasmussen to finish fantastic month with fifth win?

The Tampa Bay Rays took Game 4 of the American League Championship series by a 7-3 score, as their offensive trio of Junior Caminero, Johnathan Aranda and Yandy Diaz drove in a combined 5 runs to lead Tampa to the win.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Guardians Pitching Matchup

  • Tampa Bay Rays Drew Rasmussen (1-0, 1.29 ERA/0.79 WHIP)
  • Cleveland Guardians Parker Messick (0-2, 3.09 ERA/1.71 WHIP)

Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Guardians Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of our friends at LuckyRebel:

Run Line

  • Tampa Bay -1.5 (+135)
  • Cleveland +1.5 (-164)

Money-line

  • Tampa Bay -132
  • Cleveland +110

Total

  • Over 6.5 (-102)
  • Under 6.5 (-112)

Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Guardians MLB Picks

Best Bet: Tampa Bay Rays vs Cleveland Guardians Under 6.5 -112 Lucky Rebel

We should have a pitchers duel in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series as  right hander Drew Rasmussen goes for the Rays and Cleveland counters with left hanader Parker Messick. Both pitchers who have collectively allowed just two earned runs over 11 innings in this series. Additionally, the elements at Progressive Field will heavily favor the pitchers, as stiff 20 mph winds are forecast to blow directly inward amid crisp, low-50s temperatures that naturally suppress deep fly balls. While Cleveland used seven pitchers yesterday, they strategically rested their high-leverage trio of Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, and Erik Sabrowski, ensuring that their most dominant bullpen arms are completely fresh to lock down the later innings.
Because Friday's rainout forced both teams into a grueling stretch of playing four games in four straight days, both managers are managing with a "must-win, short-leash" mentality. Stephen Vogt and Kevin Cash cannot afford to let their starters work out of major jams in a critical tie series. With elite, high-leverage arms warming up at the first sign of trouble, long rallies will be cut short before they can break open the total score.
The main risk to the under rests on potential Tampa Bay bullpen fatigue, but the combination of elite starters, helpful weather, and rested back-end relievers makes a tight, low-scoring postseason battle the most probable outcome. We should be in for a classic postseason pitchers duel tonight, at Progressive field.
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TonesTakes
TonesTakes

Tone is a NHL and MLB expert who regularly posts profitable seasons. A Philadelphia native, Tone enjoys watching his tickets cash while smoking cigars next to his fire pit. Feared by the sportsbooks, Tone is the ultimate bettors buddy.

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