MLB Prediction: Will the Tigers best the Rays again? 6/17/17
Can the Detroit Tigers hammer the Tampa Bay Rays once again when the two teams meet up today at 4:10PM ET? Here’s our MLB Prediction for Saturday afternoon.
THE ODDS
According to the latest oddsmakers, Tampa is actually a slight favorite on the road, as the Rays are getting odds of -110 to win, while the Tigers are listed with a money line of +100 to prevail. The over/under total for the game has been set at 9 runs.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The pitching matchup for today’s game has Chris Archer (4-4, 3.80 ERA) on the mound for Tampa to face Michael Fulmer (6-4, 3.40) of the Tigers.
Archer has been a great strikeout pitcher, racking up a total of 114 this season, but he still has allowed multiple runs in six straight starts. He has 30 walks on the season and a WHIP of 1.18. Fulmer was off to a great start, but has struggled in recent starts. He has allowed five runs in his last two appearances. Fulmer has 60 strikeouts and 16 walks this season with a WHIP of 1.16.
RECORDS
The Tigers have won the first two games in this series, picking up a 5-3 win on Thursday and a 13-4 victory on Friday night. The home team has won all five meetings this season.
Tampa is now 35-35 overall and 14-20 on the road while Detroit is 32-34 overall and 18-14 at home.
FRIDAY’S RECAP
Detroit lit up Tampa for 13 runs on 13 hits Friday night. The Tigers scored five runs in both the fourth and fifth innings. The combo of Justin Upton and Nicholas Castellanos combined for seven RBI. Alex Avila added his 10th home run of the season as well. The run support allowed Daniel Norris to get the win by pitching six innings and allowed just three runs. Erasmo Ramirez lasted 4.2 innings for Tampa and allowed 10 runs on nine hits.
MLB PREDICTION
Archer has racked up the strikeouts, which could continue today against Detroit, but I still like the Tigers to emerge with a win. Tampa has lost six of their last seven road games while Detroit has won 7 of Fulmer’s last 9 starts at home. They also are 25-11 in his last 36 starts overall.
Fulmer has the ability to match Archer in performance today. The Detroit hitters seem to be heating up in this series. When hot, it’s a tough lineup to navigate. I am going to take my chances on the Detroit hitters staying hot and leading Fulmer to a win.
MLB Prediction: Detroit Tigers +100
