Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays Picks and Prediction for Tuesday October 13 2026

The American League Championship Series will continue on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The Cleveland Guardians will square off against the Tampa Bay Rays from Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 8:00 pm EST and the game will be televised on TBS. The Rays are a moderate -135 favorite and the total is set at 7. Be sure to check out our  free MLB picks for more MLB predictions throughout the postseason.

Cleveland takes a 1-0 series lead

The Cleveland Guardians won 44 of 81 road games during the regular season and are looking to advance to the World Series for the first time since 2016. In the series opener, 1B Nathaniel Lowe delivered a tie-breaking two-run single in the eighth inning to lift Cleveland to a 7-3 road victory. OF Chase DeLauter fell a triple short of the cycle and scoredre three runs for the Guardians. 

Twenty-five year old lefty Parker Messick (12-9 2.56 ERA) will head to the hill for the Guardians in this contest. In two starts against the Rays this season, Messick (13.1 IP) allowed just nine hits and two runs while striking out 15 batters. Cleveland’s bullpen ranked seventh in the majors with a 3.64 ERA and closer Cade Smith (1.95 ERA) notched 41 saves. 

Cleveland hit just 162 home runs during the regular season and are comfortable manufacturing runs. In the ALDS, the Guardians drew 27 walks and averaged 4.6 runs per game. 3B Jose Ramirez delivered the series clinching two-run blast and drove in seven runs for the Guardians.

Tampa Bay looking to bounce back at home

The Tampa Bay Rays tied with Milwaukee for the most home victories (55) during the regular season and won both home games during the American League Division Series. During last night’s home loss, Tampa Bay jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening frame on RBI singles from Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca. Cedric Mullins added a pinch-hit solo shot for the Rays. 

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash will give the nod to thirty year old right-hander Freddy Peralta (10-11 4.42 ERA) on Tuesday. In five September starts, Peralta (28 IP) allowed just three runs and led the Rays to five victories. Tampa Bay ranked 15th in the majors with a 4.12 bullpen ERA, but closer Bryan Baker (1.44 ERA) tied for tops in baseball with 41 saves. 

Despite being a small market team, Tampa Bay finished eighth in the majors in OPS and averaged 4.54 runs per game. The Rays flexed their muscle in a three-game sweep of the Yankees with three home runs and swiped three bags. Tampa Bay 1B Jonathan Aranda homered and collected seven total bases in the ALDS.

Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays Picks and Prediction

Pick: Tampa Bay Rays -135

Tampa Bay SP Shane McClanahan (forearm) was left off the ALCS roster and will not return this postseason. Peralta was acquired in a trade deadline deal with the New York Mets and the Rays have been victorious in eight of his ten starts. In the ALDS, Peralta allowed one run across four plus frames during a 5-2 home victory. Take the Rays to even the series with a home victory.

Pick: Under 7 (-115)

Cleveland SP Parker Messick ranked sixth in the majors in ERA and posted a sparkling 1.06 WHIP. Messick was even better on the road with a 2.22 ERA in 16 starts. Tampa Bay SP Freddy Peralta has allowed just four runs total over his last six starts. Take the under.

Final Score Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays 4-2