Thursday’s MLB playoff slate features an afternoon matchup as the ALCS shifts to Cleveland, Ohio, for Game 3. First pitch was originally scheduled for 6 p.m. ET but has been moved up to 1 p.m. ET due to rain in the forecast. After splitting the first two games of the series in Florida, the Guardians return home to host the Tampa Bay Rays for the next three games at Progressive Field.
The Guardians took down the American League’s No. 1-seeded Rays with a 7-3 road victory in Game 1, but Tampa Bay responded with a 3-1 win in Game 2 Tuesday night. The Rays struck first in the fourth inning after Guardians third baseman José Ramírez committed a fielding error with runners on first and third, allowing the go-ahead run to score. Liam Hicks followed with a two-RBI single to extend Tampa Bay’s lead to 3-0.
Guardians starter Parker Messick pitched well in Game 2 but ran into some bad luck with the error and three runs scoring in the fourth inning. All three runs were unearned. On the other side, veteran right-hander Freddy Peralta continued his recent dominance on the mound for the Rays, tossing six scoreless innings in the win to even the series as it shifts to Cleveland.
The Rays will turn to another veteran, Griffin Jax, to start Game 3 this afternoon. Jax has made one appearance so far this postseason, coming out of the bullpen in Tampa Bay’s 4-3 series-clinching win over the New York Yankees in the ALDS. He allowed one hit and one earned run while recording four strikeouts over two innings of work.
Gavin Williams is set to take the mound for the Guardians after putting together a very good regular season and enjoying a stellar postseason so far. Williams made three appearances against the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS, including coming out of the bullpen in Game 4 when things started to look a bit dicey before he slammed the door shut to secure the win. He then started Game 5, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings of one-hit baseball with 12 strikeouts to complete Cleveland’s comeback from a 2-0 series deficit and advance to the ALCS.
Get Rays vs. Guardians predictions, picks, and more below ahead of this afternoon’s ALCS Game 3 at Progressive Field.
Rays vs. Guardians Odds Today for Game 3
Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook lists the Guardians as slight home favorites for Game 3 with Williams and his 2026 1.54 postseason ERA on the mound:
- Moneyline: Guardians -125, Rays +105
- Run Line: Rays -1.5 (+175), Guardians +1.5 (-210)
- Total (Runs): Over 6.5 (-120), Under 6.5 (+100)
Rays vs. Guardians ALCS Winner Odds
The Rays are back to being favored at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook to win the ALCS following their victory in Game 2:
- Rays to Win ALCS: -135
- Guardians to Win ALCS: +115
Rays vs. Guardians Predictions
It’s only Game 3 of a best-of-seven series, but this ALCS matchup hasn’t disappointed. Now is the perfect time to get involved in the baseball betting action at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, and make sure to check out the Stats Hub while placing wagers on the game, like our Rays vs. Guardians prediction below:
Guardians vs. Rays Best Bet: Gavin Williams Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-105)
Thursday afternoon should be a fascinating matchup. Guardians starter Gavin Williams is one of MLB’s elite strikeout pitchers, but he’s set to face a Rays lineup that doesn’t strike out often.
Williams leads all pitchers this postseason with 24 strikeouts after leading the American League with 248 strikeouts during the regular season, just four fewer than MLB leader Jacob Misiorowski. On the flip side, Tampa Bay’s offense had the fewest strikeouts in the majors during the regular season and hasn’t been striking out a ton through its first five playoff games either.
The good news for this pick is that even though the Rays had the fewest strikeouts in MLB, they still averaged roughly seven per game during the regular season and are averaging 6.4 per game so far in the playoffs. Williams also pitched against Tampa Bay once during the regular season, striking out nine batters and allowing just one unearned run over 7.2 innings in a win on April 29.
- Guardians vs. Rays Player Prop Pick for ALCS Game 3: Gavin Williams Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-105)
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props for TB-CLE
José Ramírez has already come through in multiple big moments this postseason for the Guardians, making him a popular target in the player prop markets:
- José Ramírez – Over 0.5 Hits
- Steven Kwan – Over 0.5 Hits
- Junior Caminero – Over 0.5 Hits
- Yandy Díaz – Over 0.5 Hits
- Chase DeLauter – Over 0.5 Hits
Rays vs. Guardians Betting Splits for Game 3
Here’s how the action is trending at Hard Rock Bet as the Rays and Guardians get ready to take the field for Game 3:
- The Rays are bringing in 63.9% of wagers and 63.5% of the dollars on the moneyline.
- Tampa Bay is also seeing steady support on the run line with 69.7% of wagers, but the Guardians account for 50.6% of the dollars.
- The Over is attracting more attention on the total with 65.2% of wagers and 65.5% of the dollars.
Rays vs. Guardians Game Info
- 📍 Where: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
- 📅 Date: Thursday, Oct. 15
- ⏰ First Pitch: 1:00 PM ET
- 📺💻 TV/Streaming: TBS, truTV
- ⚾ Probable Pitchers:
- Rays: Griffin Jax
- Guardians: Gavin Williams
- 🏆 Stage: ALCS – Game 3
More Ways to Bet
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Referenced odds are subject to change.
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