The Detroit Tigers host the Tampa Bay Rays on July 8, 2025. First pitch from Comerica Park is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on FDSDET.
Find my MLB betting preview and Rays vs Tigers prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, betting trends, injury reports and more.
My Rays vs Tigers Prediction
- Rays vs Tigers pick: Rays ML +102 (Play to -105)
My Rays vs Tigers best bet is Rays moneyline. 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 -210 | 8.5 -105 / -115 | +105 |
| Tigers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +160 | 8.5 -105 / -115 | -125 |
Rays vs Tigers Projected Starting Pitchers
| RHP Ryan Pepiot (TBR) | Stat | RHP Jack Flaherty (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| 6-6 | W-L | 5-9 |
| 1.3 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.7 |
| 3.34 / 3.93 | ERA /xERA | 4.84 / 4.09 |
| 4.20 / 3.80 | FIP / xFIP | 4.32 / 3.69 |
| 1.15 | WHIP | 1.24 |
| 16.5% | K-BB% | 19.3% |
| 38.4% | GB% | 35.1% |
| 108 | Stuff+ | 98 |
| 102 | Location+ | 100 |
Tony Sartori's Rays vs Tigers Preview
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
Ryan Pepiot has been fantastic this season for Tampa Bay. Through 18 starts, Pepiot boasts a 3.34 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.
His underlying metrics suggest that this success is likely to continue. Entering this matchup, the right-hander ranks in the top half of the league in expected batting average (xBA), strikeout rate and walk rate.
He also has a strong track record against Detroit. Through four meetings, Pepiot owns a 2.05 ERA and 1.05 WHIP.
The most recent of those meetings occurred just a few weeks ago. In that outing, Pepiot allowed just one run on three hits while striking out seven over five innings.
Detroit Tigers Betting Preview
Detroit lost that game mentioned above, 8-3.
A similar outcome could be in store on Tuesday, with Jack Flaherty taking the mound for the Tigers. Through 17 starts this season, Flaherty is 5-9 with a 4.84 ERA and 1.24 WHIP.
He's the inferior starting pitcher in this matchup, both statistically and analytically. Flaherty trails Pepiot not only in ERA and WHIP, but also in expected ERA (xERA), average exit velocity, barrel rate and hard-hit rate.
Complicating matters for Flaherty is that he may not receive much run support. Through 65 combined plate appearances against Pepiot, the current Detroit roster has a .182 batting average, .309 slugging percentage and .284 weighted on-base average (wOBA).
If the Tigers’ offense is held in check, they’re at a clear disadvantage in this matchup.
Rays vs Tigers Prediction, Betting Analysis
There are two reasons why Detroit is slightly favored: home field and hitting.
That said, Tampa Bay owns a winning record on the road this season.
Meanwhile, the hitting gap is smaller than the pitching gap. Both teams rank in the top 10 in runs scored per game, hits per game, slugging percentage and OPS.
Pick: Rays ML +102 (Play to -105)
Moneyline
As mentioned, I'm betting on the Rays moneyline.
Run Line (Spread)
I also like Tampa to cover, but I find more value in just taking the outright moneyline price.
Over/Under
I lean toward the under, but I don't trust Flaherty.
