Tigers vs. Rays Odds
| Tigers Odds | +165 |
| Rays Odds | -200 |
| Over/Under | 7.5 (+100 / -120) |
| Time | 6:40 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB.TV |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
It's the first matchup of this three-game series as the American League Central's Detroit Tigers travel to Tampa Bay to take on the AL East's Rays for the first time this season.
Will the Rays take care of business as a home favorite, or can the Tigers pull off the upset on the road?
Detroit Tigers: Can Faedo Find Success?
The Detroit Tigers enter this contest in poor form as they have lost nine of their past 13 games. Of those nine losses, six have been by two or more runs.
As a road underdog this season, the Tigers are just 4-10 and six of those 10 losses have been by two or more runs.
Right-hander Alex Faedo, who has struggled early in his career, is projected to take the mound for the Tigers.
Through his first two starts, Faedo is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.500 WHIP. His metrics are not any better as he possesses a .333 xwOBA, .281 xBA and a .439 xSLG.
Detroit lost both of the games he started by at least three-runs. Faedo may not get much run support in this contest as the Tigers are slated to go against right-hander Corey Kluber.
When facing right-handed pitchers this season, the Tigers rank just 28th in the league in BA, 29th in wOBA, 30th in SLG and 29th in OPS. Teams that start a right-handed pitcher against Detroit are 16-7 this season.
Tampa Bay Rays: Can Kluber Dominate Detroit Again?
The Tampa Bay Rays enter this matchup in good form, having won nine of their past 13 games. Of those nine wins, seven have been by two or more runs.
As I mentioned above, right-hander Corey Kluber is the projected starting pitcher for the Rays. In his one start against the Tigers last season, Kluber was outstanding. He pitched eight shutout innings, gave up just two hits, struck out 10 and issued one walk.
Following Kluber is a very good Tampa Bay bullpen. The Rays' relief pitching ranks ninth in the league in BA, fourth in OBP and 14th in xFIP this season.
This pitching staff should also get good run support as the Rays are slated to go against right-hander Alex Faedo. When facing right-handed pitchers this season, the Rays are 14-11.
Tigers-Rays Pick
Tampa Bay is 4-2 over its past six home games against Detroit. I expect this trend to continue against a very inexperienced starting pitcher who has not showed a ton of promise for the Tigers this season.
Add in the fact that Tampa Bay's lineup is much better than Detroit's and I don't see any reason to shy away from backing Tampa Bay at home in this matchup.
Pick: Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 (+110) | Play up to (-105)
