Detroit Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction 8-4-23 MLB Picks
The Tampa Bay Rays and the Detroit Tigers meet in game one of their three-game MLB set from Comerica Park on Friday. The Rays need a strong showing to keep pace with the Orioles in the AL East, can they get a win here? Or will the Tigers keep the ball rolling? Let’s dive in and find out.
Rays Take Series Vs. Yankees
The Tampa Bay Rays are trying to keep the ball rolling after picking up another series win, taking out the Yankees despite falling 7-2 to New York in Wednesday’s series finale, failing to complete the sweep. The loss dropped the Rays to 66-45, currently sitting two games back in the AL East division race while sitting 5.5 games to the good in the AL Wild Card race atop the mountain. Isaac Paredes leads the Rays with 21 home runs while Randy Arozarena has a team-high 64 RBIs this season. Yandy Diaz also has a team-high 109 hits with a .314 batting average and a .400 OBP as well on the season. Wander Franco also has a team-high 5 triples and 23 doubles this season. Zack Littell will open for the Rays here and is 1-2 with a 4.85 ERA and 30 strikeouts this season.
Tampa Bay Rays Team Facts
- The Rays have won eight of their last nine games against the Tigers.
- The Rays have covered the run line in eight of their last nine games against the Tigers.
- The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last six games as road favourites against AL Central opponents.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Josh Lowe has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last six appearances in night games against AL Central teams that held a losing record.
- Manuel Margot has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances against AL opponents that held a losing record.
- Wander Franco has hit a home run in three of the Rays' last four night games.
- Randy Arozarena has recorded at least one RBI in seven of his last eight appearances against the Tigers.
- Yandy Diaz has scored at least one run in each of his last seven appearances against AL Central opponents.
- Wander Franco ranks 5th in the league in Steals (29) this season.
Tigers Falling Out Of The Race
The Detroit Tigers had some fight left in them coming out of the all-star break with how tight the AL Central has been this season, but that fight’s started to disappear as of late after Detroit had to settle for a series split with Pittsburgh after a 6-3 loss in Wednesday’s series finale. The loss dropped the Tigers to 48-60 on the year, sitting 7 games back in the AL Central race and 11 games back in the AL Central race. Spencer Torkelson leads the Tigers with 92 hits, 15 home runs and 59 RBIs as well as a team-high 23 doubles. Javier Baez has also chipped in 49 RBIs while Zach McKinstry has 12 stolen bases and a .235 batting average as well as a .308 OBP. Reese Olson will start for the Tigers here and is 1-4 with a 4.71 ERA and 47 strikeouts this season.
Detroit Tigers Team Facts
- The Tigers have lost each of their last seven home games against American League opponents following a win.
- The Tigers have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine night games against AL East opponents following a win.
- The Tigers have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last five night games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
- The Tigers have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last eight night games.
- The Tigers have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five night games.
Detroit Tigers Player Prop Facts
- Miguel Cabrera has hit at least one home run in five of his last 14 home appearances against the Rays.
- Spencer Torkelson has recorded at least one RBI in six of the Tigers' last seven home games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Javier Baez has scored at least one run in each of the Tigers' last six games.
- Javier Baez has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances in night games.
- Riley Greene has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Tigers' last four games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Detroit Tigers ranks 29th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.368).
- The Detroit Tigers ranks 28th in the league for RBI's this season (411).
- The Tampa Bay Rays ranks 1st in the league for opponent batting average this season (.229).
- The Tampa Bay Rays ranks 1st in the league for hits allowed this season (841).
Chris’ Pick
I’m looking at the Rays here. I don’t love this game and it does look like a bullpen game which could be slightly troublesome for the Rays considering their bullpen isn’t the team’s strength as much as it used to be. That being said, the Tigers struggle to hit righties and the Rays, despite their struggles, are still the team with the better bullpen and are just the better team in my opinion from top to bottom. Give me Tampa Bay here.
