Rays vs Tigers – Predictions, Tips, Odds – 9-26

The Detroit Tigers will seek a series win over the Tampa Bay Rays when the two clubs meet for the third game of their three-game series this afternoon.

Despite the shaky starting lineup, I expect the Rays vs. Tigers to be a close-run game this afternoon at Comerica Park.

Read on to find out my MLB picks for Thursday, September 26th.

Prediction for Rays vs. Tigers

My best bet
Under 7.5 (-105 at BetMGM)

My analysis

The Tampa Bay Rays hope to avoid a series sweep, and left-hander Tyler Alexander gets the nod. He pitched well in Toronto, allowing two hits and six punchouts in 4 1/3 scoreless innings.

Alexander might get lucky today, as the Detroit Tigers don’t hit left-handed pitchers. Their .288 BABIP and 88 wRC+ suggest the Pussycats probably won’t get many hits or runs against Alexander.

The Rays’ left-hander is not on a long leash and will hand over control to a bullpen that ranks third in xFIP and is responsible for the second-most holds (43) since the All-Star break.

By comparison, Tigers right-hander Reese Olson can be a gamble. He’s allowed nine earned runs in his last 19 innings. He’s collected 17 Ks, but the walks are creeping in (seven), as are the HRs (three), which could be problematic early on.

Olson also has a short leash, and the Tigers’ bullpen hasn’t been great since the break. They’ve racked up the most strikeouts (275) but allowed the fourth-most bombs (37) since the All-Star Game, with an xFIP of 3.91.

Olson and the rest of the Tigers team might be in luck, though, as the Rays’ faltering offense has scored just two runs in this series and 10 runs in their last five games. They’ve scored 20 runs in their last 10 road games and average less than four runs per road game.

The Rays are unable to hit on the road, the Tigers are not much better at home and fail against left-handed pitchers, so this game ends under the total.

Rays vs Tigers – Same Game Accumulator (SGP)

Below 7.5

Tyler Alexander Over 3.5 Strikeouts

Reese Olson Over 4.5 strikeouts

Alexander is striking out 7.36 per nine innings. He has missed 16 times in his last 21 2/3 innings and is facing a Detroit offense with a 24.5% strikeout rate for left-handers. The Tigers have also been shut out by strikeouts 19 times in 64 at-bats this series.

For comparison, Olson has 8.14 strikeouts per nine games and 17 strikeouts in his previous 19 games. The Rays have a 24.8% strikeout rate against right-handers, with 17 strikeouts in the first two games of this series.

Learn how to bet on the same game in an accumulator bet with these helpful tips and strategies.

Rays vs Tigers odds

Rays vs Tigers Live Odds

Opening odds Rays vs Tigers

• Money line: Tampa Bay +140 | Detroit -165
• Execute line: Tampa Bay +1.5 (-160) | Detroit -1.5 (+135)
• Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-110) | Under 7.5 (-110)

Rays vs Tigers Moneyline and Over/Under Analysis

• The Rays have a record of 1-4 against Detroit this season and 36-41 as a road team.
• The Tigers are 8-2 in their last 10 games at Comerica Park, and their -144 opener ended at just -152 (FanDuel).
• The over/under markets opened at 8.0 (-110), but the number dropped to 7.5 runs.
• Over 7.5 markets report odds from -105 to -115, while Under 7.5 (-105) is also available.

Rays vs Tigers Trend

The Tigers have hit the Game Total Under in 15 of their last 19 home games (+11.80 units / 56% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Mets vs. Braves here.

Match info Rays vs Tigers

Rays vs Tigers: Latest injuries

Rays vs Tigers Weather

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