Tigers vs Rays | Predictions

Detroit Tigers vs Tampa Bay Rays
7:05 PM, Thursday July 22 – MLBN
FREE Expert MLB Picks

Pitching Probables: Max Scherzer vs. Matt Garza

The Detroit lineup is getting thinner everyday. Most recently resurgent Magglio Ordonez was placed on the disabled list for a couple of months, joining the likes of Brandon Inge and Carlos Guillen. Pretty soon it will be Miguel Cabrera and the 8 dwarfs or something like it. This does not bode well for the Tigers who have been getting pretty inconsistent pitching beyond ace Justin Verlander as well. Starting tonight is Mr. Inconsistent Max Scherzer. The kid has a great arm but he walks too many and struggles to work deep into games. His last outing was a good one, 7 innings in a 4-1 victory over the Rangers – no small feat these days. He has never faced the Rays and is much worse on the road than at home.

Tampa is only 6-4 since the break and in danger of losing sight of the Yankees if they don’t respond. They need to take advantage of a wounded Tigers team that beat them five out of seven last year including all three at tonight’s venue – Tropicana Field. Starting pitcher Matt Garza has also struggled with consistency this year. He was shelled by Baltimore in his last outing but the one before that he gave up only a single hit in six innings against the Indians. He is 10-5 but his ERA is half a run higher than last year. Garza has never beaten Detroit (0-4) and has an ERA of 5.85 in six career starts against the Tigers. Ordonez is a career .468 against him. He won’t be in the lineup tonight, but Cabrera (.116 BA lifetime) will be. This might help him turn his bad stats against the Tigers around.

Prediction: I just don’t trust Scherzer. He could throw 5 no hit innings then walk the bases loaded in the sixth. Garza is the safer option and with the stronger lineup behind him I like Tampa’s chances.

The odds makers have the Tampa Bay Rays as a -1½ favorite with a run total of 8.

Score Prediction:
Tampa Bay Rays – 6
Detroit Tigers – 2

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Detroit Tigers Betting Trends:

• Detroit is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games on the road
• Detroit is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit’s last 7 games when playing Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends:

• Tampa Bay is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games
• Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
• Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 7 games when playing Detroit