Randy Wolf (0-3, 6.11 ERA) and Drew Smyly (2-2, 3.11 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Detroit Tigers (62-74) and the Tampa Bay Rays (67-69) at Comerica Park. Action begins at 1:08 p.m. ET on Monday, Sep. 7 and can be seen on SUN and FSDT.
Wolf pitched 3.2 innings in his last outing, surrendering eight runs, striking out two and walking three in a 12-1 defeat to the Royals. Smyly went 7.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out 10 and walking one in an 11-2 win over the Orioles in his most recent start. Logan Forsythe (.290, 60 Rs, 15 HRs, 54 RBIs, 9 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Tampa Bay takes on Detroit as a -132 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at eight runs. The Tigers have recorded an overall money line of -1,038 and have shown a weak performance as an underdog this season with a record of 28-45. Detroit has recorded a disappointing 2-7 record as the underdog over its last 10 games. The Tigers have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 3.2 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.4 runs per game. Detroit’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 7.1 runs per game, well above its season average of 5.0.
In games where it is the favorite, Tampa Bay has a 32-29 record and an overall money line of -312.
The Rays lead the season series, 2-1. The Tigers have an 18-15 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Smyly takes the mound. Wolf (LHP) will be on the hill against the Rays, who have a very good 24-14 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Under
Notes
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Tigers are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Rays have an 11-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the Tigers are 7-52. The Rays have a 13-41 record when opponents outhit them.
Detroit and Tampa Bay both rank in the top half of the league in home runs. Detroit sits at 14th with 135 home runs this season and Tampa Bay ranks 15th with 132.
Detroit ranks at the top of the league when it comes to hits with 9.42 per game this season. Tampa Bay ranks in the top half at 12th with 8.36.
Ranking 20th, Tampa Bay is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.712). Detroit ranks in the top five at fourth with an OPS of .754.
The Rays are 31-52 when they allow at least one home run. The Tigers perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 30-58 record.
