Rays at Guardians kickoff three-game series at Progressive Field
The Tampa Bay Rays travel to Cleveland to face the Guardians in a three-game set beginning Monday, August 25, 2025, at Progressive Field. The matchup is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on FS1. Fans looking to watch for free can take advantage of a DirecTV streaming trial or sign up for fuboTV.
Series snapshot
– Rays: 63-67, fourth in the AL East
– Guardians: 64-65, third in the AL Central
– The two teams meet for the first time this season, with Cleveland hosting the opener
Pitching matchups
– Rays: Ian Seymour (1-0, 3.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 26 strikeouts)
– Guardians: Tanner Bibee (9-9, 4.55 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 129 strikeouts)
Betting line
– Guardians -143, Rays +121
– Over/under: 8 runs
What to know about the teams
– Cleveland’s offense has shown plenty of pop this season, led by Jose Ramirez with 26 home runs and 24 doubles. Steven Kwan has been a steady contributor, hitting 10-for-40 with a double over the last 10 games.
– Tampa Bay has leaned on its dynamic young talent, including Junior Caminero, who owns 58 extra-base hits this season (21 doubles, 37 home runs). Christopher Morel has produced in recent action, going 8-for-25 with a double, three home runs and four RBIs over the last 10 games.
Recent form
– Guardians last 10 games: 2-8, batting .191 with a 4.39 team ERA; they’ve been outscored by 23 runs.
– Rays last 10 games: 5-5, batting .246 with a 5.16 team ERA; they’ve been outscored by 10 runs.
Key injuries
– Guardians: Lane Thomas (10-day IL, foot), Will Brennan (60-day IL, forearm), Andrew Walters (60-day IL, lat), Ben Lively (60-day IL, forearm), John Means (60-day IL, elbow), Sam Hentges (60-day IL, shoulder)
– Rays: Stuart Fairchild (60-day IL, oblique), Ha-Seong Kim (10-day IL, back), Taylor Walls (10-day IL, groin), Jonny Deluca (hamstring), Jonathan Aranda (wrist), Manuel Rodriguez (60-day IL, forearm), Hunter Bigge (60-day IL, lat), Richie Palacios (60-day IL, knee), Shane McClanahan (60-day IL, triceps), Alex Faedo (60-day IL, shoulder), Nathan Lavender (60-day IL, elbow)
Why this series matters
– Both teams are fighting to gain momentum as the playoff picture begins to take shape in late August. With multiple everyday players sidelined for extended periods, this series could hinge on depth and bullpen performance as managers navigate matchups and rest ailing regulars.
What to watch for
– The Guardians will lean on their veteran leadership and timely hitting to back Bibee, while the Rays will look to Seymour to set a fast pace and keep the Guardians’ offense in check.
– Look for Ramirez to build on his power output and for Caminero to continue driving the Rays’ offense, especially in road games where Cleveland’s ballpark can pose a different challenge.
Summary
This opening game of a pivotal series at Progressive Field features a matchup of up-and-coming Rays talent against a Guardians squad looking to stabilize after a rough stretch. With streaming options available and a competitive betting line in place, it’s a series that could influence late-season positioning for both clubs. Expect a mix of power and speed, bullpen depth testing, and several players stepping up to make a difference.
Additional notes for readers
– If you’re streaming, consider the free trial with DirecTV or the fuboTV option to catch the game without a cable subscription.
– Keep an eye on how these teams manage the injuries in the coming days, as the lineup shifts could sway game-to-game strategy and series outcomes.
Potential positive outlook
– The series offers opportunities for young stars to shine and for teams to showcase resilience as they push toward the postseason, making for compelling late-summer baseball.