The Tampa Bay Rays will play the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Fox Sports Sun will televise this AL matchup and the action gets underway at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Rays at Detroit Tigers Odds
Vegas is listing Detroit (+100) as the underdog to Tampa Bay (-110). Gamblers are able to wager on the games total with odds sitting at -110 for over 8 runs and -110 for under 8. The games current runline odds sit at +135 for taking the Rays -1.5 runs and -155 for the Tigers +1.5 runs.
The Rays have gone 13-15 SU this year and are 16-11 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 0.3 units for gamblers taking the moneyline over the early portions of the season, 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 under has cashed in four of those seven.
Detroit games have had an over/under record of 12-15 so far in 2018. Tampa Bay has been a decent over bet with a total record of 17-10.
Southpaw Blake Snell is the probable starter 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 are putting the ball in the hands of righty Michael Fulmer (1-2, 2.76 ERA), who’s got 22 punchouts and seven walks, as well as a WHIP of 1.26. Fulmer made two starts against the Rays in 2017, compiling a 0-2 record with a 4.26 ERA and eight strikeouts.
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 an ERA of 4.89, along with a K/9 of 8.61.
Rays hitters have slashed .265/.336/.413 on their way to 4.6 runs scored per game this year, including 6.6 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 4.6 per game over the teams last five contests (3-2 SU).
Tampa Bay’s hitters have been powered by second baseman Daniel Robertson and second baseman Joey Wendle. Robertson is hitting .314/.455/.529 with 22 hits, eight RBIs and 14 runs scored, while Wendle (.329/.390/.493) is up to 24 hits, nine RBIs and 13 runs scored.
For the home team, Detroit’s pitching staff has allowed 4.6 runs per game overall in 2018. The clubs 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 outing, including 4.9 per game over its last 10 games and 3.2 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .213/.283/.335 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.
First baseman Miguel Cabrera and third baseman Jeimer Candelario have led the Tigers offense so far. Cabrera is hitting .326/.413/.528 with three home runs, 21 RBIs and 13 runs scored, while Candelario’s line is .291/.371/.518 with four homers, 12 RBIs and 18 runs.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .249/.329/.397, Cabrera seemed to enjoy hitting lefty pitching at home last season, slashing .342/.405/.553 over 42 such plate appearances.
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 overs hit in three of those games, as opposed to zero that’ve cashed the under.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Detroit Tigers Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Tigers, ATS Winner – Tigers, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Detroit has posted 23.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 17.2 over its last five.
- The Rays have hit 19 home runs in their last 10 games, including 10 over their last five.
