The Rays come back from a long road trip and host the struggling Tigers on national television.
Detroit Tigers at Tampa Bay Rays
Detroit split a day-night doubleheder against the Blue Jays at Comerica Park on Sunday and now begin a seven-day road trip with the first game of four against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Tigers have won eight of the last 11 meetings versus the Rays dating back to September 25, 2008. The club has compiled a 10-4 mark against teams from the AL East division. Detroit hopes to turn things around starting with the series, losing nine of its last 12 games and falling two games behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central race. This may prove difficult considering the Tigers are 16-29 away from Comerica Park on the year (-1,350) and have averaged just 2.2 runs in losing six straight on the road. After playing 20 games this month, the Tigers have compiled an even 10-10 record in July (-190).
Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer is an even 7-7 with a 4.43 ERA in 18 starts this season (-410), with the club alternating wins and losses in his last three outings. He picked up a 4-1 home victory in his last start, tossingseven shutout innings while scattering four hits and striking out five. The right-hander is a solid 3-1 with a 2.00 ERA in four July outings, with opponents hitting for a combined .189 average. Scherzer is looking to improve upon his 1-5 record and 5.61 ERAin nine starts away from Comerica Park, as he has issued 23 walks in 51.1 frames. He will be making his first career start against Tampa Bay this evening.
Tampa Bay has the best road record in baseball, but the club has been turning things around at Tropicana Field of late. Since falling in defeat 12 of 19 times during a stretch from May 24-June 27, the Rays have compiled a 6-1 mark at home. By picking up a 4-2 win in Cleveland on Sunday, the club finished its 10-day, nine-game road trip with a 5-4 record. “It was a good trip,” said shortstiop Reid Brignac. “It was a big win.” The Tigers are the lone American League team that the Rays have yet to play this season. Tampa Bay went 2-5 against them in 2009, after picking up two straight season series victories in the previous two years. The Rays are 44-45 all-time against the Tigers, including an even 22-22 mark at home. Through 20 games this month, the team has posted a terrific 14-6 mark (+580).
Rays starting pitcher Matt Garza is 10-5 with a 4.36 ERA in 20 appearances (19 starts) this year (+30) and is coming off one of his worst outings of 2010. He picked up a no decision in a 11-10 road loss to the Baltimore Orioles,giving up seven runs and 10 hits, including four home runs in 6.1 innings. Before his last start, the right-hander had won three straight starts, but is 1-0 with a 6.19 ERA in four outings this month overall. Garza will be making his 10th start (11th appearance)at Tropicana Field this evening, posting a 5-2 record and 4.22 ERA. He is 7-5 with a 4.89 ERA in 16 nighttime outings compared to a perfect 3-0 mark and 2.60 ERA during the day. In six lifetime starts against the Tigers, he stands at 0-4 with a 5.85 ERA.
Bettors will note that the Tigers are an even 3-3 as a road underdog of +150 to +175 this season (+200), which is similar to their 9-9 mark in this situation the last three years (+550). Tampa Bay hasn’t been a profitable team as a home favorite of -175 to -200 this year (-290), with the total being 6-9 O/U in those games.
