In this article we will formulate a Tigers vs Rays prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, June 21st at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
 
Detroit Tigers Betting Preview
The Detroit Tigers are 48-29 this year after they lost game one by a score of 14-8 on Friday night. Detroit cut the deficit to 4-3 in the third inning, but their pitching staff had a very bad night for the loss. The Tigers recorded eight hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by Greene, who went 3-3 with two home runs and four RBIs in the loss. Detroit started Flaherty, who allowed six hits and eight earned runs over 2.1 innings for the loss, while Lee, Hernandez, and Hanifee all allowed at least one earned run in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Tigers won two out of three against the Pirates, but did lose two out of three against the Reds before that. Detroit has lost four of their last six games and they are currently first in the AL Central standings. The Detroit pitching staff has a 3.49 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and a .235 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 379 runs with a .252 batting average and a .322 on base percentage this season. Riley Greene has led Detroit with 17 home runs and 59 RBIs, while Spencer Torkelson has added 16 home runs and 48 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Detroit is Sawyer Gipson-Long, who is 0-0 with a 3.97 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP over 11.1 innings pitched this year. 

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 42-34 this season after they won game one in blowout fashion on Friday night. Tampa Bay had their lead cut to 4-3 in the third, but they answered with the next five runs in the game, which sealed the win. The Rays recorded 16 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Thaiss, who went 3-4 with four RBIs in the win. TB started Baz, who allowed four hits and five earned runs over 5.1 innings for the win, while Orze allowed three earned runs in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Rays split four games with the Orioles and won all three against the Mets before that. Tampa Bay has won six of their last eight games and they are currently second in the AL East standings. The Tampa Bay pitching staff has a 3.55 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP and a .234 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 360 runs with a .256 batting average and a .323 on base percentage this season. Junior Caminero has led Tampa Bay with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe has added 15 home runs and 41 RBIs for the Rays this year. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Ryan Pepiot, who is 4-6 with a 3.11 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP over 89.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Rays will beat the Tigers
The home team has won each of the last five games between the Tigers and Rays.
The Tigers have lost seven of their last eight day games against the Rays following a road loss.
The Rays have covered the run line each of their last eight day games against teams that held a winning record.
The Tigers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five road games against the Rays following a loss.

Total Runs Facts
Each of the Tigers’ last six day games against American League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Seven of the Rays’ last nine day games as favorites have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Tigers’ last eight day games against American League opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Rays’ last six Saturday games against American League opponents.

Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in two of the Rays’ last three games as home favorites.
Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one hit in each of the Rays’ last 14 games as favorites against AL opponents.
Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one RBI in four of the Rays’ last five day games against AL teams that held a winning record.
Taylor Walls has scored a run in each of his last four home appearances after playing the previous day.

Detroit Tigers Player Prop Facts
Gleyber Torres has hit a home run in three of his last five appearances in day games against AL East teams that held a winning record.
Riley Greene has recorded at least one hit in each of the Tigers’ last nine games as road underdogs.
Riley Greene has recorded a Double in three of the Tigers’ last four games as underdogs against AL opponents.
Gleyber Torres has recorded an RBI in four of his last five appearances in day games against AL East teams that held a winning record.
Gleyber Torres has scored at least one run in each of the Tigers’ last four games against opponents that held a winning record.

Tigers vs Rays Prediction 
Tampa Bay erupted for 14 runs in their win on Friday night and they continue to be red hot over the last few weeks. The Rays are 26-22 at home this season, while the Tigers are 22-17 on the road. Detroit has had some pitching issues in their last five games and they are starting Gipson-Long, who has only made a couple of appearances. Tampa Bay is starting Pepiot, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. I really like how Pepiot is pitching right now and the Detroit bullpen is shaky. Take the Rays here. 

David Racey's Pick: Rays ML