Tigers vs Rays predictions
If you’re looking for a Detroit Tigers player to keep your eye on, Riley Greene is the guy. Hitting .284 on the year and already cranking out 17 homers, he’s the spark at the top of the Tigers’ lineup and should set the tone at the plate. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him notch a couple of hits, maybe even go deep against the Rays’ pitching at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Elsewhere, Kerry Carpenter and Dillon Dingler are both solid bets to contribute, with Carpenter in particular looking due for a big game—think a shot at a home run and a couple of RBIs. Don’t forget about Casey Mize, either; he’s been steady in the rotation, and if he can settle in early, he just might give the Tigers five strong innings to try to snap their skid.
Now on the Tampa Bay Rays side, Jonathan Aranda stands out as a contact machine, rocking an impressive .326 average and working his way on base with regularity. I see him getting on a couple of times and driving in a run or two if the Rays keep their offense humming. Junior Caminero, with his knack for power, looks like a solid bet to keep swinging for the fences—don’t be shocked if he adds to his home run total. Zack Littell gets the call as the starter, and he’s shown he can hang with almost anyone, mixing up his pitches and pounding the zone. If Littell can keep the Tigers guessing, things could tilt in Tampa Bay’s favor pretty quick.
Given how both clubs are stacked—Detroit looking to shake off their losing streak, and the Tampa Bay Rays holding the home field edge—it has the makings of a close one. Still, with the Rays being so aggressive on the bases and boasting some clutch bats in the heart of their order, I like Tampa Bay to squeak out another win in the season series. The Tigers have the talent to turn things around soon, but for this matchup, the Rays seem just a little sharper at the right moment. This should be a fun one to watch, no matter who you’re pulling for.
