MLB Lines – Rays vs Tigers
The Rays, perennially a low-budget contender in the hotly contested AL East division, blew up their chances this season with a disastrous first half. Yet, they are getting their act together recently.
Date/Time: Thursday, July 3 2014, 7:08 pm EST
Venue: Comerica Park, Detroit MI
Tampa Bay, Detroit (no odds yet listed)
Pitching Match-up: Erik Bedard (4-5, 4.21 ERA) vs. Max Scherzer (9-3, 3.64 ERA)
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It will take a lot to get the Rays back in the divisional race after the All-Star Break, but we’ll see if they can keep it up in a road series against the Detroit Tigers.
Tampa Bay (37-49) have had injuries and pitching inconsistency derail its campaign so far. The Tigers (46-34) have been their usual strong selves.
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A chunk of Detroit’s success is thanks to Thursday’s starter Max Scherzer, a strike-out machine who is a crucial part to the Tigers’ pitching rotation. Detroit had enough pitching depth that it was able to trade super-efficient Doug Fister to Washington in the offseason.
If that weren’t enough, the Tigers possess arguably the best hitter on the planet in 1B/3B Miguel Cabrera. On top of their RBI leader, designated hitter Victor Martinez is back after last year’s ligament tear, and hitting like he’s on a mission. The former catcher is hitting .323 on the season to go with 20 big flies.
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Boppers like Cabrera and Martinez are leading the Tigers to rank in the top 10 in all offensive categories in the Majors.
When you throw the net win of acquiring 2B Ian Kinsler for streaky slugger Prince Fielder in the offseason (Fielder is now out for the year) and late-inning heroics like the walk-off grand slam OF Rajai Davis gave the team over the weekend, they certainly play some cohesive baseball in the Motor City.
For Tampa’s part, there has been a ton of speculation regarding the likelihood of ace pitcher David Price getting traded. It seems to be fuelling him lately, because Price is pitching well after a rough start. It coincides with his team going 7-3 in their last 10 games and winning their last four consecutive contests.
Tampa Bay’s disabled list reads like a who’s who of contributors: SP Matt Moore, SP Jeremy Hellickson, SS Yunel Escobar and young phenom OF Wil Myers are just some of the players that have missed extensive time. Keeping people healthy would make a big difference in the team’s compete level in the second half of the season.
The interesting thing is that with how the AL East has played out so far, no team is truly out of the race. The Rays currently sit last in the division and 9.5 games back of the leading Toronto Blue Jays. Still, stranger things have happened in baseball pennant races.
If Tampa Bay can start playing in the way its grown accustomed to over the past several seasons, don’t completely count them out come September.
But one step at a time: Canadian journeyman pitcher Erik Bedard will duel Scherzer on Thursday in Detroit. He’ll have to pitch a gem to keep the Rays in the game; especially with how Scherzer can mow through batters, it should be a profound challenge for the visiting team.
MLB Prediction
Observers are starting to see some encouraging things coming from the Gulf side of Florida, and it’s the right time to gather momentum as we near the Midsummer Classic. Young slugger Myers returning from the DL should further bolster the lineup.
Regardless, expect the Tigers to take this series-opening game.
Detroit 7, Tampa Bay 2
