The Tampa Bay Rays (78-78) and Detroit Tigers (82-74) open a 3-Game set at Comerica Park Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Rays vs. Tigers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tigers lead 2-1
The Rays are coming off a 3-game sweep of the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. They wrapped up the series with a 4-3 win as -125 favorites Sunday with the Under (7.5) hitting. Tampa Bay is 4 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot and has a 0.3% chance to make the playoffs, according to FanGraphs.com.
The Tigers are coming off a 2-1 series win at the Baltimore Orioles. They won 4-3 as +112 underdogs in the Sunday finale as the Under (8) cashed. Detroit is tied for the 2nd AL Wild Card with the Kansas City Royals, who own the tiebreaker over the Tigers.
Rays at Tigers projected starters
RHP Ryan Pepiot vs. LHP Tarik Skubal
Pepiot (8-6, 3.64 ERA) makes his 25th start. He has a 1.13 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 in 121 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 12 K in 2-1 home setback vs. Boston Red Sox Wednesday
- 2024 road stats: 5-3, 3.47 ERA (49 1/3 IP, 19 ER), 1.22 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 in 10 starts
- 2024 vs. Tigers: 0-0, 1 home start (April 23), 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 4-2 defeat
- Career vs. Tigers: 0-0, 1.50 ERA (12 IP, 2 ER), 0.92 WHIP, 6.0 K/9 in 2 appearances (1 start)
Skubal (17-4, 2.48 ERA) makes his 31st start. He has a 0.94 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 10.8 K/9 in 185 IP.
- Last start: Win, 5 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 4-2 victory at Royals Wednesday
- 2024 home stats: 9-1, 2.13 ERA (97 IP, 23 ER), 0.86 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 15 starts
- 2024 vs. Rays: 1-0, 1 road start (April 22), 6 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 9 K in 7-1 victory
- Career vs. Rays: 2-0, 1.04 ERA (17 1/3 IP, 2 ER), 0.87 WHIP, 11.9 K/9 in 4 starts
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Rays at Tigers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of MLB odds. Lines last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rays +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Tigers -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rays +1.5 (-150) | Tigers -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -125 | U: +105)
Rays at Tigers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rays 4, Tigers 3
Moneyline
The RAYS (+150) have won 4 straight Games and are being undervalued in this spot. While Skubal is the favorite to win the AL Cy Young (-5000 at BetMGM Sportsbook), he shouldn’t be laying -185 vs. Pepiot and the Rays. Pepiot has allowed 2 ER or fewer in 11 of his last 12 starts, and the Rays have gone 7-5 over those outings.
BET RAYS (+150).
Run line/Against the spread
Tampa Bay +1.5 (-150) will likely hit, but getting plus money for the Rays to win straight up is more attractive than laying $150 to win $100.
PASS. Bet the ML and/or total instead.
Over/Under
It’s tough to play an Over with 2 starting pitchers who have been so consistent lately, but this number is just a bit too low. Seven is a key number in MLB totals, and I can’t bring myself to play Under 6.5 in this spot. This game landing on 7 is the most likely outcome.
LEAN OVER 6.5 (-125).
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