The Detroit Tigers host the Tampa Bay Rays on August 24, 2026. First pitch from Comerica Park is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1.
The Rays are favored by -135 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Tigers are +120 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 7.5 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Rays vs Tigers prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Rays vs Tigers Prediction
- Rays vs Tigers Pick: Junior Caminero Over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBI (-135)
My Rays vs Tigers best bet is on Junior Caminero to go over his Hits+Runs+RBI total. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Rays vs Tigers Odds
| Rays Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -150 | 7.5 -116o / -104u | -135 |
| Tigers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 +125 | 7.5 -116o / -104u | +120 |
- Rays vs Tigers moneyline: Rays -135, Tigers +120
- Rays vs Tigers over/under: 7.5 (-116o / -104u)
- Rays vs Tigers spread: Rays -1.5 (+125), Tigers +1.5 (-150)
Rays vs Tigers Probable Pitchers
| Drew Rasmussen (TBR, RHP) | Stat | Framber Valdez (DET, LHP) |
|---|---|---|
| 13-5 | W-L | 8-8 |
| 3.7 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 1.5 |
| 3.01/3.12 | ERA / xERA | 4.35/4.47 |
| 3.00/3.21 | FIP / xFIP | 4.15/4.22 |
| 21.4% | K-BB% | 9.3% |
| 43.7% | GB% | 53.6% |
| .257 | BABIP | .301 |
| 109 | Stuff+ | 102 |
| 106 | Location+ | 96 |
Rays vs Tigers MLB Betting Preview
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
Tampa Bay always seems to have a stud pitcher that nobody talks about, and this year it is Drew Rasmussen. After battling injuries earlier in his career, Rasmussen has been one of the best pitchers in the American League over the last two seasons. He is 13-5 this year with a 3.01 ERA. He leads the AL in WHIP at just 0.95 and sits second in wins.
Rasmussen throws three different fastballs, all from the same high arm-slot angle to deceive hitters. All three have been effective, but his sinker has been the most lethal this season. Rasmussen also has elite command and has been able to drop his walk rate to a new career low.
Offensively, the Rays' recipe has been incredibly successful, helping them sit atop the American League standings. They have the power bats of Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz, and Jonathan Aranda at the top of the lineup, and the bottom of the order plays smart, high-contact, small-ball.
As a team, none of the offensive numbers will ‘wow’ you. The Rays rank 14th in runs this season. But they are fifth in on-base percentage and have the fewest strikeouts by a wide margin. They put the ball in play, steal bases and take the extra bag at an elite level, and make smart baseball plays to score runs efficiently.
Detroit Tigers Betting Preview
When the Tigers traded away Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize at the trade deadline, Framber Valdez became this team’s new ace. Unfortunately, the Tigers have lost eight of their last 10 games, and Valdez has not looked very ace-like.
In his first season with the Motor City Kitties, Valdez holds a 4.35 ERA and has expected indicators well below average. Valdez was a quality start machine in Houston and Mr. Consistency. This season, however, he has allowed four or more runs in 10 of his 25 starts, including each of the last two.
Detroit’s offense has been hampered by streaky, inconsistent play all season. They have flashed dangerous stretches and have some high-powered talent, but those streaks have been short-lived. The overall numbers paint this as a league-average offense.
Rookie sensation Kevin McGonigle has been the breakout star of this offense and easily the best player on this team. Riley Greene and Dillon Dingler have also been solid at the plate, but Greene is currently on the injured list, along with outfielder Kerry Carpenter.
Rays vs Tigers Pick, Betting Analysis
This game appears to be fairly priced, and it's hard to find much value on either side or the total. B.A.R.T.O.L.O. projects this current Tampa Bay lineup for a 97 wRC+ vs. LHP, and Detroit for 98 wRC+ against RHP. So, offensively this game is a wash.
The Rays will have a decent advantage on the mound throughout the game with a stud in Rasmussen getting the start and a much better bullpen than Detroit’s throughout the game. The -130 price on the Rays pretty fairly represents that advantage, though.
Instead of laying between -130 and -140 on the Rays moneyline, I would rather just back one of their stars at a similar price. Junior Caminero is -135 to go over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI, and I love this matchup for him.
Caminero is one of the best young players in the game. He has a .895 OPS on the season and leads Tampa Bay in runs and RBI. His OPS jumps up to .925 against left-handed pitchers like the one he will see on Monday night.
On top of that, Valdez is a sinkerball pitcher. He throws his sinker 45% of all pitches, and it has not been very effective this year. Opponents are hitting .308 against his sinker this season.
Caminero has smoked sinkers this season, hitting .333 with a .450 wOBA against sinkers on the season. He has a 55.6% hard-hit rate against the pitch.
Over the last week, Caminero has been red hot at the plate. He has gone over 1.5 H+R+R in eight of his last 10 games and this bet has cashed at a 63.3% rate over the last month.
I would rather attack Caminero in this spot at a similar price to the Rays moneyline.
Pick: Junior Caminero Over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBI (-135)
