Matt Boyd (1-5, 8.36 ERA) and the Detroit Tigers (63-74) go up against Erasmo Ramirez (10-5, 3.84 ERA) and the Tampa Bay Rays (67-70) in the second of a three-game series at Comerica Park. The Tigers won the last game 5-4 and Detroit leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:08 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sep. 8 and will air on SUN and FSDT.
In his last start, Boyd pitched 1.0 innings, allowing six runs and walking two in a 15-7 loss to the Royals. The Rays were unsuccessful the last time Ramirez pitched. He did not do well, pitching 4.0 innings, giving up four runs and striking out three in a 7-6 loss to the Orioles. Steven Souza Jr. (.214, 47 Rs, 15 HRs, 34 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with two runs.
Detroit is a +112 underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Tigers perform poorly as an underdog with a 28-45 record and have an overall money line of -1,176. Over the last 10 games, they have performed poorly when playing as the underdog (2-7). Detroit has averaged 2.7 runs per game over the last 10 games, lower than its season average of 4.3. Detroit’s pitching staff has fallen apart in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game rose to 7.5 during that span, compared to its 5.0 season average.
Switching to the opposing bench, the Rays come into this game with a win percentage of .516 when playing as the favorite (32-30) and an overall money line of -428.
The Tigers will take on a right-hander (Ramirez) in this game and have a 44-59 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Rays will be the left-hander Boyd. Southpaw starters haven’t been a big issue for them as they sport a 24-14 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Under
Notes
Detroit has won 47% (29-33) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Tampa Bay has won 47% (27-30) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Rays are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Tigers have a 26-45 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rays are 47-22. The Tigers have a 52-17 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 28th in runs, Tampa Bay has earned 519 this season. Detroit ranks 10th with 593 runs.
Detroit and Tampa Bay both rank in the bottom half of the league in walks. Detroit sits at 17th with 376 this season and Tampa Bay ranks 18th with 375.
When the Tigers hit at least one home run, they are 47-34, well-matched with the Rays who are 49-39 when hitting one or more homers.
