Rays vs. Tigers Pick
Can the Detroit Tigers get back on track at home when they host the Tampa Bay Rays tonight at 7:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Detroit is favored in today’s game, as the Tigers are getting odds of -135 to win. The Rays are listed with a money line of +120 to prevail, while the over/under total for the contest is set at 9.5 runs. These two have met three times this season with the Rays winning all three games in Tampa.
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The pitching matchup in today’s game has Alex Cobb (5-5, 4.29 ERA) on the mound for Tampa to face Justin Verlander (4-4, 4.68) of the Tigers. Cobb has had some shaky outings, but is coming off a 1-run, 6-inning outing against the Athletics. For the season, he has 57 strikeouts with 23 walks and 1.38 WHIP. Verlander hasn’t been too reliable this season. He has given up 39 earned runs this season with 37 walks and 69 strikeouts. His WHIP for 2017 is 1.48.
The Tigers are in a funk. They have lost five of their last six games, including their last three at home. Detroit is 30-34 overall and 16-14 at home. The Tigers are putting up 4.83 runs per game while allowing 5.00 per contest. J.D. Martinez has been leading the team with 11 home runs and 25 RBI in 30 games. Justin Upton is leading in the power numbers with 13 home runs and 40 RBI.
Tampa is coming off a loss to the Blue Jays on Wednesday night, but the Rays are 6-2 in their last eight games. The Rays are now 35-33 overall and 14-18 on the road. Tampa is putting up 4.76 runs per game while allowing 4.49 runs per contest. Logan Morrison is leading the Rays with 19 home runs and 43 RBI while Corey Dickerson has 15 home runs, 34 RBI and a .335 average.
The Tigers need a win tonight and turn to their ace to get it. Though Verlander has struggled, he still is a fiery competitor. I think he will be up to part tonight against a Tampa team that isn’t tremendous on the road. Detroit has the hitters and I think they can get to Cobb at home. The key will be for Detroit to not blow it late with their bullpen. I’ll roll the dice that they won’t.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: DETROIT TIGERS -135