Cleveland Guardians vs Tampa Bay Rays

Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays (2026-07-24). Joey Cantillo vs Shane McClanahan at Tropicana Field.

Starters — Cantillo has a 3.74 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 106 innings, with 9.51 K/9, 4.42 BB/9, and 1.02 HR/9. His last three starts were 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 K, 3 BB; 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 9 K, 2 BB; and 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 K, 3 BB. The strikeout ability is clear, but the walk rate remains a pressure point, and the recent trend is up despite the uneven most recent outing. McClanahan carries a 3.16 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 91 innings, with 8.41 K/9, 3.07 BB/9, and 0.69 HR/9. His last three starts were 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 3 K, 3 BB; 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 5 K, 0 BB; and 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 K, 0 BB. The profile shows better command and stronger home-run suppression than Cantillo, and his trend is also up even after the rough July 19 start.

Teams — Cleveland enters with a .687 OPS, 417 runs scored, a .233 team average, and a pitching staff at 3.71 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP. The Guardians are 6-4 over their last 10, which supports a relatively steady recent form, but the offense has been more modest by season-long production. Tampa Bay owns a .735 OPS, 459 runs scored, and a .259 team average, backed by a 3.83 team ERA and 1.17 WHIP. The Rays have been stronger offensively than Cleveland on the full-season numbers, while their staff has allowed a bit more ERA but fewer baserunners by WHIP. Their 4-6 record in the last 10 suggests the recent form has lagged behind the broader offensive profile.