Rays vs. Tigers Prediction, Betting Tips & Picks 5/18/2022

The Tampa Bay Rays (22-15), led by Brett Phillips on a two-game home run streak, are -193 favorites on the moneyline to defeat the Detroit Tigers (13-24). First pitch is set for 1:10 PM ET Wednesday, live from Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen and Detroit’s Eduardo Rodriguez have been named the starters for this contest.

Rays vs. Tigers Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Rays vs. Tigers

Our computer pick: Detroit Tigers (+162) and Over (6.5)

Rays vs. Tigers Game Info

• Tampa Bay Rays probable starting pitcher: Drew Rasmussen
• Detroit Tigers probable starting pitcher: Eduardo Rodriguez
• Game Day: Wednesday, May 18, 2022
• Game Time: 1:10 PM ET
• Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
• Stadium: Tropicana Field

Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers Pitching Matchup

Rays Starter Drew Rasmussen

• The Rays are sending Rasmussen (3-1) to the mound for his eighth start of the season. He is 3-1 with a 2.67 ERA and 27 strikeouts through 33 2/3 innings pitched.
• His most recent appearance came on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays, when the right-hander went 5 2/3 innings, surrendering one earned run while allowing three hits.
• The 26-year-old has put up a 2.67 ERA and 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings in seven games this season, while giving up a batting average of .185 to his opponents.
• Rasmussen is trying to secure his second quality start of the season in this matchup.
• Rasmussen will try to last five or more innings for his fifth straight appearance. He’s averaging 4.2 frames per outing.
• The opposing Tigers offense has the 29th-ranked slugging percentage (.317) and is last in MLB play with 19 home runs. It has a collective .223 batting average, and is 22nd in MLB with 266 total hits and last in MLB play scoring 104 runs.

Tigers Starter Eduardo Rodriguez

• Rodriguez (1-2) will take the mound for the Tigers, his eighth start of the season.
• The left-hander last pitched on Friday, when he allowed five hits in 6 2/3 scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles.
• The 29-year-old has pitched to a 3.72 ERA this season with 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings compared to 3.5 walks per nine across seven games.
• He’s looking to extend his two-game quality start streak.
• Rodríguez has pitched five or more innings in five straight games and will look to extend that streak.
• The Rays have scored 156 runs this season, which ranks 12th in MLB. They are batting .236 for the campaign with 35 home runs, 13th in the league.
• Among qualified Major League pitchers this season, the 29-year-old’s 3.72 ERA ranks 36th, 1.190 WHIP ranks 35th, and 7.9 K/9 ranks 30th.

Rays Betting Picks & Insights

• This season, the Rays have won 17 out of the 27 games, or 63%, in which they’ve been favored.
• This season, Tampa Bay has won three of its seven games when favored by at least -193 on the moneyline.
• The moneyline for this contest implies a 65.9% chance of a victory for the Rays.
• Tampa Bay and its opponents have hit the over in 17 of their 37 games with a total this season.
• In 37 games with a spread this season, the Rays are 18-19-0 ATS.

Tigers Betting Picks & Insights

• The Tigers have come away with eight wins in the 25 contests they have been listed as the underdogs in this season.
• Detroit has a win-loss record of 2-7 when favored by +162 or worse by oddsmakers this year.
• The moneyline set for this matchup implies the Tigers have a 38.2% chance of walking away with the win.
• Detroit and its opponents have gone over the total this season in 11 of their 37 opportunities.
• The Tigers are 16-21-0 against the spread in their 37 games with a line set by sportsbooks this season.

Rays Leaders & Batting Stats

• Wander Franco’s .271 average leads the Rays this year. His resume also includes four homers and driven in 16 RBI.
• Among all hitters in MLB, Franco’s home run total places him 68th, and his RBI tally ranks him 71st.
• Yandy Diaz is hitting .269 with three doubles, three home runs and 21 walks.
• Diaz is 108th in homers and 192nd in RBI on the season.
• Randy Arozarena is hitting .230 with 10 doubles, a triple, two home runs and seven walks.
• Arozarena is on a four-game hitting streak entering this contest. In his last five games he is batting .278 with a home run, a walk and two RBI.
• Harold Ramirez is hitting .307 with four doubles and five walks.
• Ramirez takes a two-game streak with at least one hit into this one. During his last five outings he is hitting .286 with a double and an RBI.

Tigers Leaders & Batting Stats

• Jeimer Candelario has swatted a team-high three home runs.
• Candelario’s home run total puts him 108th in MLB, and he is 138th in RBI.
• Candelario brings a hitting streak of two games into this game. During his last five outings he is hitting .176 with a triple, a home run, two walks and an RBI.
• Miguel Cabrera proven to be a run producer as he leads his team with three home runs and 14 RBI, with a team-best .286 batting average.
• Cabrera is currently 108th in homers and 108th in RBI in the big leagues.
• Jonathan Schoop has three home runs, best in the lineup.
• Javier Baez is batting .211 with six doubles, two home runs and five walks.

Betting Tips for Rays vs. Tigers

Our best bet is the Tigers on the moneyline at +162 after digging through all of the key statistics and trends for this matchup. Our computer predicts the scoring will over the total of 6.5 runs.