Detroit Tigers vs
Tampa Bay RaysPredictions & Preview

Tampa Bay Rays Expected to Dominate Detroit Tigers in Weekend Matchup at George M. Steinbrenner Field

On Friday night, the Detroit Tigers (47-27) will face the Tampa Bay Rays (41-33) at George M. Steinbrenner Field in the first game of their three-game series at 7:05 PM ET. Jack Flaherty (5-7, 4.03 ERA) will start for the Tigers, while Shane Baz (6-3, 4.54 ERA) will take the mound for the Rays. Detroit, currently leading in the American League, is 6-4 in its last 10 games against Tampa Bay. The Tigers are the betting favorite, opening at -110, with the current line at Tampa Bay -108. Stay tuned to see which team comes out on top in this Tigers vs. Rays matchup. **Note: This preview was written before Thursday's game was played.**

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Tigers -103 | Rays -108
• Spread: Tigers -1.5 (+146) | Rays +1.5 (-176)
• Total: Over/Under 8.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Detroit will win straight-up is 51%.

Detroit vs Tampa Bay Stats

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers have been performing exceptionally well this season, currently holding a two-game lead over New York in the AL standings. They have a strong offense, averaging 4.81 runs per game and ranking 5th in the league. Gleyber Torres leads the team with a .276 batting average, while Spencer Torkelson leads in home runs and Riley Greene leads in RBI. Defensively, the Tigers are giving up 3.71 runs per game, with opponents batting .233 against them. Their pitching staff has a 3.35 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Despite a recent loss, Detroit is ranked 5th in offense, 6th in defense, and has a record of 47-27 this season, with a power ranking of 13. They will look to continue their success with a win on Friday.

Tampa Bay Rays Analysis

The Tampa Bay Rays have performed well recently, winning five of their last six games and currently ranking second in the AL East standings, 1.5 games behind the New York Yankees. The team's offensive statistics include averaging 4.58 runs per game (9th in the league), a .248 batting average (15th), a .316 on base percentage (17th), and a .393 slugging percentage (15th). Jonathan Aranda leads the team with a .319 batting average, while Junior Caminero leads in home runs and RBI. Defensively, the Rays are giving up 3.70 runs per game (6th in the league), with opponents batting .235 against them (11th). Their 3.45 ERA ranks seventh in the league, and their 1.18 WHIP is third. In their last matchup against the Mets, pitcher Baz had an impressive performance, allowing no runs in 6.2 innings. Tampa Bay currently holds a power ranking of 1 and has performed strongly both offensively and defensively, with a 41-33 overall record. Detroit struggled in their recent matchups against Tampa Bay, going 0-3 against them.

Tampa Bay Rays Poised for Victory Against Detroit Tigers with Favorable Matchup

The Tampa Bay Rays have been on a winning streak, claiming victory in five of their last six games. Their upcoming game against the Detroit Tigers presents a favorable matchup for the Rays, as they have shown strength at the plate, particularly against right-handed pitchers. On the other hand, the Tigers have faltered in recent games, losing three of their last five. The pitching matchup also appears to favor the Rays, as Flaherty has struggled on the mound in his last few starts, while Baz has been performing well. Given these factors, it is anticipated that Tampa Bay will have a strong offensive performance in this game, while Detroit may struggle to score runs. Considering these circumstances, it is recommended to place a wager on Tampa Bay to win on the money line.

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