August 27, 2025

Game Preview

Written by: Michael Rivera

Michael is a data-driven baseball enthusiast who specializes in pitch analytics and betting trends.

Rays vs Guardians: Betting Preview & Props (Aug 27)

Last updated: August 27, 2025

Game Time: 8/27, 01:10PM

Game Overview

The Tampa Bay Rays face off against the Cleveland Guardians in what promises to be an intriguing matchup, with the Rays entering as -136 favorites according to DraftKings. Despite 90% of the money backing the Rays, the Guardians, listed as +112 underdogs, will look to leverage home-field advantage.

Rotation Report

Pitching Matchup: Drew Rasmussen (TB) vs Slade Cecconi (CLE)

Drew Rasmussen (TB):

Drew Rasmussen brings a diverse arsenal to the mound, featuring a Four-Seam Fastball (34% usage, 95.8 mph), Cutter (31% usage, 90.2 mph), Sinker (23% usage, 95.4 mph), Sweeper (5% usage, 84.6 mph), Curveball (5% usage, 80.5 mph), and Changeup (1% usage, 89.4 mph). Rasmussen's mix of velocity and movement categorizes him as a versatile pitcher who can keep hitters off balance. The Guardians lineup has a season average of .239 but projects to a .265 xBA against Rasmussen's offerings, suggesting they might find some success.

Slade Cecconi (CLE):

Slade Cecconi counters with his own blend of pitches: Four-Seam Fastball (44% usage, 94.2 mph), Slider (21% usage, 84.2 mph), Curveball (15% usage, 75.0 mph), Sinker (10% usage, 93.4 mph), Changeup (8% usage, 83.7 mph), Cutter (2% usage, 89.3 mph), and Sweeper (0% usage, 82.0 mph). Cecconi's reliance on his fastball and slider combination positions him as a velocity-heavy pitcher. The Rays lineup, which averages .270, projects to a .238 xBA versus Cecconi, indicating a potential edge for the pitcher.

Offensive Breakdown

Lineup Matchups & Batting Edges

For the Rays vs Slade Cecconi:

The Rays lineup averages .270 this season but projects to .238 vs Cecconi's arsenal.
Biggest decrease in xBA: Hunter Feduccia: Season BA .250 → xBA vs arsenal .144 (-106 points), Season K% 22.5% → Arsenal K% 37.1% (+14.6%)

For the Guardians vs Drew Rasmussen:

The Guardians lineup averages .239 this season and projects to .265 vs Rasmussen's arsenal.
Biggest increase in xBA: Brayan Rocchio: Season BA .236 → xBA vs arsenal .319 (+83 points), Season K% 21.2% → Arsenal K% 19.2% (-2.0%)

Whiff Outlook

Strikeout Risks & Rewards

The Rays' projected K-rate is 26.3% vs Slade Cecconi—up 6.9% from their 19.4% season average. This suggests potential value on strikeout props.
The Guardians' projected K-rate is 18.0% vs Drew Rasmussen—down 3.2% from their 21.2% season average, indicating less strikeout risk.

Plate Umpire Analysis

Behind the Plate: Umpire assignment has not been announced, which makes prop volatility a concern.

What to Bet On

📢 Prop Alert: Brayan Rocchio (.236 → .319, +83 points) meets betting lean criteria!

⚡ K Prop Alert: Slade Cecconi strikeout OVER - Rays' K-rate jumps to 26.3% vs this arsenal!

🔑 Key Takeaways

Brayan Rocchio shows a significant increase in projected batting average against Rasmussen, making him a strong prop candidate.
Slade Cecconi could capitalize on an elevated strikeout rate against the Rays lineup.
Umpire assignment is still pending, adding uncertainty to prop bets.
Overall, the betting landscape favors pitcher props due to the strikeout potential.

🧠 FAQs

Q: Who is the best betting prop for the Rays vs Guardians game? A: Brayan Rocchio stands out as a strong candidate based on a significant increase in projected batting average.

Q: Is the umpire a pitcher-friendly umpire? A: Umpire assignment has not been announced, adding uncertainty to the analysis.

Q: What time is the Rays vs Guardians game? A: The game is scheduled for 8/27, 01:10PM.

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