Justin Verlander takes to the hill today to lead the Detroit Tigers against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Verlander (4-3, 2.96) had to settle for a no decision last time out after allowing three runs on six hits with nine strikeouts in eight innings versus Boston. Wade Davis (4-4, 3.47) gets the call for Tampa Bay tonight. In his last start against Toronto Davis took the loss after giving up three runs on seven hits in 7 2-3 innings.
View Tampa Bay vs Detroit Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
Baseball odds makers opened the Tigers as -175 moneyline favorites in this matchup. Over under bettors saw the number open at 7.
Power Rankings:
This game matches up the No. 12 (Tigers) and the No. 8 (Rays) teams in their respective leagues, according to our current MLB Power Rankings.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Detroit's No. 7 ranked American League offense (4.3 runs per game) against a Rays defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 3 in the American League at 3.7 runs allowed per game. The Tigers have been averaging 8.5 hits per game, more than the Rays have managed so far this season (8 hits on average).
Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping factors and Detroit has the American League's No. 10-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Rays own the American League's No. 3 mark in runs allowed.
Tampa Bay was a 6-3 loser in its last match on the road against the Tigers. They lost as +100 underdogs, while the total score of 9 made winners of OVER bettors. The Rays endured a 6-3 loss at the hands of the Tigers on Monday, with Jeremy Hellickson throwing 6 1/3 innings of 4-hit ball at Comerica Park.
Tampa Bay Rays Trends:
When playing on Tuesday are 9-1
Before playing Detroit are 7-3
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3
Detroit Tigers Trends:
When playing on Tuesday are 9-1
Before playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After playing Tampa Bay are 4-6
After a win are 8-2
A few Rays at Tigers trends to consider:
Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Detroit
Tampa Bay is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 9 games when playing Detroit
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Detroit is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games at home
Detroit is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Detroit's last 9 games when playing Tampa Bay
Next up:
Tampa Bay at Detroit, Wednesday, May 25
