In this article, we will formulate a Rays vs Tigers prediction for this MLB game on Friday, June 20th at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 41-34 this year after they split four games with Baltimore by scores of 7-1, 1-5, 12-8, and 1-4. In their game four loss, Tampa Bay led 1-0 in the third inning, but they didn’t score over the last six innings for the loss, despite having plenty of baserunners. The Rays recorded eight hits in the game, and they were led by Jansen, who went 1-4 with one RBI in the loss. Tampa Bay started Rasmussen, who allowed four hits and two earned runs over 5.1 innings for the loss, while Uceta allowed two earned runs in relief.
Prior to that series, the Rays swept the Mets in three games, but lost two out of three against the Red Sox before that. Tampa Bay has won five of its last seven games, and they are currently second in the AL East standings. The Tampa Bay pitching staff has a 3.49 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP and a .234 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 346 runs with a .253 batting average and a .320 on-base percentage this season. Junior Caminero has led Tampa Bay with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe has added 15 home runs and 41 RBIs for the Rays this year. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Shane Baz, who is 6-3 with a 4.54 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP over 77.1 innings pitched this year.
Detroit Tigers Betting Preview
The Detroit Tigers are 48-28 this season after they won two out of three against Pittsburgh by scores of 7-3, 9-2, and 4-8. In their game three loss, Detroit tied the game at four in the seventh inning, but allowed four runs in the 10th inning for the loss. The Tigers recorded five hits in the game, and they were led by Keith and Torres, who both had two RBIs in the loss. Detroit started Holton, who allowed four hits and three earned runs over 1.1 innings, while Hurter allowed four hits and three earned runs in the 10th for the loss.
Prior to that series, the Tigers lost two out of three against the Reds, but won two out of three against the Orioles before that. Detroit has lost three of its last five games, and they are currently first in the AL Central standings. The Detroit pitching staff has a 3.36 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and a .232 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 371 runs with a .252 batting average and a .322 on-base percentage this season. Spencer Torkelson has led Detroit with 16 home runs and 48 RBIs, while Riley Greene has added 15 home runs and 55 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Detroit is Jack Flaherty, who is 5-7 with a 4.03 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP over 76.0 innings pitched this season.
Why the Tigers will beat the Rays
- The Tigers have won each of their last eight games as road underdogs against American League opponents following a home loss.
- The Rays have lost five of their last seven games as favorites against the Tigers following a home loss.
- The Tigers have covered the run line in each of their last nine games as road underdogs against American League opponents following a home loss.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six night games against AL Central opponents.
- The Tigers have led after 5 innings in each of their last five night games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rays have lost the first inning in four of their last five night games against AL Central opponents.
- The Tigers have led after 3 innings in six of their last seven games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Tigers’ last six games have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Five of the Rays’ last six night games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Tigers’ last eight road games against AL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Rays’ last seven games.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Danny Jansen has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances in night games against AL Central teams that held a winning record.
- Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one RBI in five of the Rays’ last six games as favorites.
- Taylor Walls has scored at least one run in each of his last six appearances after playing the previous day.
- Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rays’ last 16 home games against AL opponents.
Detroit Tigers Player Prop Facts
- Javier Baez has hit at least one home run in each of his last two appearances in night games.
- Riley Greene has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Tigers’ last three games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Javier Baez has scored at least one run in five of his last six appearances.
- Jack Flaherty has recorded eight or more strikeouts in five of his last six appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
- Parker Meadows has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances in night games against AL teams that held a winning record.
- Jack Flaherty has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances.
- Riley Greene has recorded a Double in three of the Tigers’ last four games as underdogs against AL opponents.
Rays vs Tigers Prediction
Detroit is coming off another series win against Pittsburgh earlier in the week, and they continue to be the best team in the MLB. The Tigers are 22-16 on the road this year, while the Rays are 25-22 at home. Tampa Bay stranded a bunch of runners in their loss on Thursday night, and they will go against Flaherty, who has allowed one earned run or fewer in three of his last four starts. Detroit has allowed at least eight runs in three of their last five games, and they will face Baz, who has allowed three earned runs in three of his last four starts. I don’t love either pitcher in this matchup, but we have to back the Tigers at this price.