The Tampa Bay Rays will play host to the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field. This AL showdown will begin at 7:10 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to Fox Sports Sun to catch the game.
Detroit Tigers at Tampa Bay Rays Odds
Vegas has listed Tampa Bay (-185) as the favorite over Detroit (+175). The total sits at 7.5 runs and bettors can wager on the over for +100 or the under for -120. You can also bet on the game’s spread with the runline odds sitting at Tigers +1.5 runs (-125) and Rays -1.5 runs (+105).
The Rays are 45-44 straight up (SU) and 51-37 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 6.4 units for moneyline bettors and 13.4 units (ATS). Tampa Bay has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. On the other hand, the Tigers have gone 40-52 SU this year and are 49-42 ATS. In total, the team’s accumulated 2.1 units for moneyline bettors, but have lost 1.1 units ATS. Detroit has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Tampa Bay games have a 35-50-3 over/under record so far in 2018. Detroit has also been a strong under bet with a total record of 36-52-3.
Southpaw Francisco Liriano will get the start for the visiting Tigers. Liriano (3-5, 4.03 ERA) has recorded 57 strikeouts in 73.2 innings so far. He has yet to face Tampa Bay this year, but he made four starts against the team in 2017, posting a 1-1 record with a 6.61 ERA and 21 strikeouts.
The Rays will turn to righty Chris Archer (3-4, 4.24 ERA), who’s got 76 strikeouts and 26 walks as well as a 1.34 WHIP. Archer is 0-1 with six strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA in one start against Detroit this year.
As a unit, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has given up 3.8 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starters have an ERA of 3.61, a WHIP of 1.15 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.8. The bullpen has a 3.44 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 8.0 K/9.
Tampa Bay’s offense has produced 3.9 runs per outing, including 3.5 per game over its last 10 games and 4.4 per game over its last five. The team has hit .247/.356/.400 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Third baseman Matt Duffy and catcher Wilson Ramos have led the way for the Rays’ hitters this year. Duffy is slashing .306/.358/.410 with four home runs, 25 RBIs and 28 runs scored, while Ramos is hitting .289 with 12 homers, 47 RBIs and 26 runs scored.
For the visitors, Detroit’s pitchers have allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starters own a 4.18 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 7.30 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.56, along with a K-per-9 of 8.05.
Tigers hitters have slashed .248/.308/.390 on their way to 4.0 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Detroit’s offensive production has been powered by outfielder Nicholas Castellanos and shortstop Jose Iglesias, who have combined to belt 17 home runs. Castellanos is slashing .301/.352/.518 with 15 home runs, 55 RBIs and 49 runs scored, while Iglesias is slashing .274/.310/.381 with two homers, 32 RBIs, 29 runs and 12 stolen bases.
The Tigers have lost 7.7 units and are 33-34 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 24 of those games, compared to 41 that’ve gone under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Rays have netted 6.8 units and are 19-10 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in nine of those games, compared to 19 which went under the total.
Detroit Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Tigers, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
Detroit has tallied 13 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Tampa Bay has 18 XBH over its last five.
The Tigers have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
Detroit has recorded 20.3 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 outings and 20.2 over its last five.
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