The Detroit Tigers will play host to the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park. The opening pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Sun is in line to televise this AL showdown.
Tampa Bay Rays at Detroit Tigers Odds
Tampa Bay (-110) is the favorite against Detroit (+100) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this afternoon game at 8 runs. Odds for wagering on the game’s total sit at -110 for both the over and the under. The game’s runline odds sit at +135 for taking the Rays -1.5 runs and -155 for the Tigers +1.5.
The Rays are 13-15 SU and are 16-11 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 0.3 units for moneyline bettors over the early part of the year, despite having gained 5.6 units ATS. Tampa Bay has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Tigers, on the other hand, are 12-16 SU and 14-13 ATS. They’ve lost 3.8 units for moneyline bettors and 0.5 units ATS. Detroit has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Detroit games have a 12-15 over/under record so far in 2018. Tampa Bay has been a decent over bet with a total record of 17-10.
The southpaw Blake Snell is getting the start for the visiting Rays. Snell is 4-1 with a 2.52 ERA and 41 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Tigers this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Tigers will be sending righty Michael Fulmer (1-2, 2.76 ERA) to the mound. Fulmer has 22 strikeouts and seven walks to his credit, as well as a WHIP of 1.26. Fulmer made two starts against the Rays in 2017, posting a 0-2 record with a 4.26 ERA and eight strikeouts.
Detroit’s pitchers have yielded 4.6 runs per game overall this year as a unit. The club’s starters have a 3.80 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.70 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 8.3 K/9.
Detroit’s hitters have put up 4.5 runs per contest, including 4.9 per game over its last 10 games and 3.2 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .213/.283/.335 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Tigers’ offense has been led by first baseman Miguel Cabrera and third baseman Jeimer Candelario. Cabrera is slashing .326/.413/.528 with three home runs, 21 RBIs and 13 runs scored, while Candelario is batting .291 with four homers, 12 RBIs and 18 runs.
Cabrera seemed to enjoy hitting lefty pitching at home last season. In 42 such plate appearances, he slashed .342/.405/.553 (his total season line was .249/.329/.397).
In the other dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 4.8 runs per game and its starters own a 4.25 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 8.83 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.89, along with a K/9 of 8.61.
The Rays offense has slashed .265/.336/.413 on its way to 4.6 runs scored per game in 2018, including 6.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Second baseman Daniel Robertson and second baseman Joey Wendle have led Tampa Bay’s offense. Robertson is hitting .314/.455/.529 with 22 hits, eight RBIs and 14 runs scored, while Wendle is hitting .329/.390/.493 with 24 hits, nine RBIs and 13 runs scored.
The Rays have lost 1.8 units and are 8-9 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 11 of those games, compared to six that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Tigers have lost 1.7 units and are 1-2 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in three of those games, compared to zero that’ve cashed the under.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Detroit Tigers MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Tigers, ATS Winner – Tigers, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Notes
The Rays have hit 19 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
Tampa Bay has recorded 29.4 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 contests and 24.6 over its last five.
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