Rays vs. Tigers Prediction
After edging the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night, will the Detroit Tigers find a way to win the rubber match on Wednesday afternoon?
Game Snapshot & Odds
917 Tampa Bay Rays at 918 Detroit Tigers
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
1:10PM ET – Comerica Park
TV: SUN (TB); FSDT (Det)
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, this game is considered even, as both the Tigers and Rays are listed with a money line of -105. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 8 runs. The public betting currently has 69% going on Detroit at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Rays pitching strong
Through two games in this series, each team has won a 1-run game. Tampa picked up a 3-2 win on Monday while the Tigers won 2-1 on Tuesday. Tampa is now 13-15 overall and 7-8 on the road. Tampa is averaging 4.70 runs per game this season while allowing 4.89 per contest
Blake Snell will take the mound on Wednesday. Snell has started six games already in 2018 and has a 4-1 record. He has won his last four starts and now has a 2.52 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP. Over 35.2 innings of work, Snell has 41 strikeouts with 11 walks.
Tigers still struggling at the plate.
Despite Tuesday’s win, the Tigers are still not producing at the plate. Over six of their last seven games, they have been held to three runs or less. The Tigers are now 12-16 overall and 7-8 at home. Detroit is averaging 4.59 runs per game on offense this year while allowing 4.74 per game on the mound.
Michael Fulmer, the team’s ace, takes the mound for them today. He is just 1-2 through five starts with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Fulmer has pitched a total of 29.1 innings this season and has 22 strikeouts with seven walks.
MLB Betting Trends
Tampa
The Rays have still won five of their last seven on the road and they have won Snell’s last four starts. They are also 5-2 in their last seven road games against a right-handed starter.
Detroit
The Tigers have won Fulmer’s last eight starts on a Wednesday and 17 of his last 25 home starts. However, they are just 3-9 in his last 12 starts overall.
Prediction:
This game is shaping up to be a lot like the first two in the series, as both teams could struggle with the starting pitching. However, the Tigers are already without Miguel Cabrera due to injury and struggling to hit as is. I think their hitting woes will be more prevalent in this game and lead to a Tampa victory.
The Pick: Tampa Bay Rays -105