Tampa Bay Rays vs. Detroit Tigers Picks, Predictions, Odds

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Detroit Tigers Betting Analysis

Tampa Bay and Detroit meet up for the first of a four-game series on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at Comerica Park.

The Rays are placed third in the American League East with a record of 55-49 overall and 22-28 on the road, which trails the division leading New York Yankees by 14 games. The Tigers start Thursday’s play with a 42-64 record, good for fourth place in the American League Central. The Twins lead Detroit by 14 games as the Tigers own a solid 24-27 ledger at home.

Updated on 12/23/2024

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Tampa Bay Rays vs. Detroit Tigers Betting Prediction

Tampa Bay enters this matchup third in the AL East standings, 14.0 games behind the New York Yankees for first place. Despite being third in the AL East, Tampa Bay finds themselves in the third AL Wild Card spot. The Rays most recently went 1-1 SU in a two-game series with the Blue Jays and have lost seven of their last 10 games. The offense was horrible over that stretch, averaging 2.6 runs per game. This has been a common trend for a struggling Rays offense who averages 4.07 runs per game (23rd), on base percentage of .306 (22nd), and slugging percentage of .378 (24th) The bullpen has carried this team on their back this season with an ERA of 3.43 (4th) and a WHIP of 1.16 (4th). Southpaw Jeffery Springs (3-3, 2.70 ERA) is expected to take the mound on Thursday.  

The Tigers are currently fourth in the AL Central standings, 14.0 games behind the Minnesota Twins for first place and 14.0 games back from a wild card spot. Detroit went 1-2 SU in their most recent series with the Twins and have lost six of their last 10 games. The Tigers have struggled to get much going this season and rank as one of the worst offenses in the league, averaging 3.20 runs per game (30th), on base percentage of .285 (29th), and slugging percentage of .333 (30th). The bullpen has seen a bit more success with a team ERA of 4.04 (20th) and WHIP of 1.27 (17th). The right-hander Drew Hutchinson (1-4, 4.53 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Tigers Thursday.  

The Rays are 2-1 SU against the Tigers this season and I expect Tampa Bay to win game one of this series. Neither team hits the ball well, but the Rays do have an advantage in the bullpen department. Do not be surprised if the Tigers are held to just a run or two with how poorly their offense has been playing. Not much value in Tampa Bay moneyline so will be playing the runline in this matchup.  

Score Prediction: Rays 4, Tigers 2
Best Bet: Rays -1.5 (-105)

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Detroit Tigers Betting Odds

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Detroit Tigers Betting Resources

• Date: Thursday, August 4, 2022
• Matchup: AL East vs. AL Central
• Venue: Comerica Park
• Location: Detroit, Michigan
• Time-TV: 7:10 p.m. ET – FS1

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Detroit Tigers – Current Form

The Rays lost against the Guardians last Sunday with 2-1, but was able to at least split the series against the Blue Jays last Wednesday. In Tuesday’s game, the first of two they played against the Toronto Blue Jays, the offense of Tampa Bay only managed to produce one run.

The second of three matches on Saturday marked an six-run effort by Tampa Bay against the Cleveland Guardians, which was their best performance this week. The Tigers have dropped consecutive series to the Blue Jays and the Twins. In Wednesday’s game, the third of three they played against the Minnesota Twins, the offense of Detroit only managed to produce one run.

In the most recent seven games, the one played on Monday against the Minnesota Twins was their worst. The defense of Detroit allowed five runs.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Detroit Tigers – Pitching Matchup

Tampa Bay: Jeffrey Springs (3-3, 2.70 ERA)

Jeffrey Springs is on the hill for the Rays in this contest as he makes his 13th start of the season hoping to build some positive momentum. He comes in 3-3 with a 2.70 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, 16 walks and 77 strikeouts over 73.1 innings of work this season. Springs got assigned the loss in his last start, which came at home against the Cleveland Guardians on July 29, 2022. He threw five innings, allowing three runs on six hits with one walk and five strikeouts in an eventual 1-4 Rays defeat. In his seven starts on the road this season, Springs is 2-1 with a 3.11 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, 10 walks and 40 strikeouts over 37.2 innings of work.

Detroit: Drew Hutchison (1-4, 4.53 ERA)

Drew Hutchison will make his seventh start of the season for Detroit, who’s hoping to find some traction after posting a 1-4 record and 4.53 ERA thus far, while tallying a 1.39 WHIP, 24 walks, and 32 strikeouts across 49.2 innings of action. In Drew Hutchison’s last start, the Tigers were no match for the Toronto Blue Jays, losing 5-3 on July 30, 2022. The 31-year-old earned no decision in this game, having tossed five innings and yielded one run on two hits, while striking out three and issuing three walks. Hutchison owns a 1-3 home record this season in four starts at Comerica Park. In those outings, he has posted a 4.97 ERA, a 1.62 WHIP, 13 walks, and 14 strikeouts in 25.1 innings of work.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Detroit Tigers – Series History

In the 2021 season the Tigers won the season series 4-3. Tampa Bay has captured two of three meetings with Detroit this season.