The Major League Baseball scene heats up as the Tampa Bay Rays ready themselves to battle the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on September 13, 2024, with first pitch slated for 07:10 PM under a clear sky. Taking the hill for the Rays will be Zack Littell, who holds an impressive ERA of 3.894 for the season. His counterpart from the Guardians will be Tanner Bibee, sporting an even more formidable ERA of 3.565.

In the 2024 standings within the AL East Division, Tampa Bay places 10th with a record of 72-75, reflecting a winning percentage of .490. They hold a divisional record of 19-24, ranking 4th in their division. Recently, the Rays have shown resilience, securing 5 wins in their last 10 matchups and carrying a W1 winning streak. Their performance includes a 37-38 home game split and a nearly identical 35-37 road record. On the day, they’ve won 30 games, whereas they have a better record of 42 wins in night games. The team has scored 566 runs while conceding 625 runs this season.

The Cleveland Guardians have fared better, placed 2nd in the AL Central with an impressive tally of 84-63, which leads to a .570 winning percentage. They top their division with a record of 27-21. With 6 victories in their last 10 and currently on a L1 streak, the Guardians have shown strong form at home with a record of 43-26, and a solid 41-37 on the road. Concerning time of play, they have won 33 day and 51 night games, totaling 659 runs scored against 583 runs allowed.

Focusing on the betting aspect, pivotal odds to consider include a point spread of -1.5 and an Over/Under set at 7.5. Betting money lines are also critical, with the Guardians favored at -175 and the Rays positioned at +148. These odds suggest that while the Guardians are the favorites, a competitive game is expected, possibly with tight scoring influenced by the strong pitching staff on both sides.