On Monday night, the Rays and Tigers will begin a three-game series in Detroit with both teams in playoff contention. Detroit has a firm 13.5 game lead in the American League Central, all thanks to an MLB-best 57-34 record. Thanks to the Yankees' struggles and the Rays playing better, they’re in contention in the AL East, trailing by only three games.
These two teams will square off at Comerica Park in Detroit at 6:40 p.m. ET on FS1. We’ll break down today’s Rays vs. Tigers prediction and picks today, including the best picks for PrizePicks on pitcher and hitter projections to target today.
For Tampa Bay, they’ll send up Shane Baz (3.80 xFIP), who got shelved in his last start against the Tigers, where he allowed five earned runs. Jack Flaherty (3.70 xFIP) is on the mound for Detroit, and his start against Tampa Bay was even worse, as he didn’t make it through three innings before allowing eight earned runs.
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Rays vs. Tigers Picks – Monday, July 7
Here are the top Rays vs. Tigers picks and predictions for tonight’s game on PrizePicks. Click to read more about each pick.
- Ray SP Shane Baz – 17.5 Pitching Outs
- Rays DH/1B Yandy Diaz – 1.5 Total Bases
- Tigers OF Riley Greene – 6 Hitter Fantasy Score
Rays SP Shane Baz – 17.5 Pitching Outs
- Rays SP Shane Baz has struggled to extend his outings recently and has gone less than this projection in eight of his last 12 starts.
- Baz has caught some bad luck this year, and although his ERA is 4.31, his expected ERA is 3.81.
- Baz’s got roughed up in the previous start against the Tigers by allowing five earned runs and four walks in 5.1 innings.
- The Tigers have shown better discipline in recent games, boasting the best walk rate in the league and ranking 13th in their last six games.
Rays DH/1B Yandy Diaz – 1.5 Total Bases
- Rays DH Yandy Diaz has gone over this projection in three of his last five games.
- Although he has a .289 batting average, with an expected batting average of .304, in the 97th percentile.
- Díaz is tough to get out and leave empty-handed, as his 17.5% whiff rate is in the 85th percentile, and the 13.8% strikeout rate is in the 88th percentile.
- Diaz has reached base in 15 of his last 18 games.
- Diaz has had success against Tigers starter Jack Flaherty as he is 3-for-7 with a home run and two RBI.
Tigers OF Riley Greene – 6 Hitter Fantasy Score
- Tigers All-Star OF Greene is hitting well recently, thanks to a .421 weighted on-base average and a 43.3% hard-hit percentage as of June 22.
- Those hard hits has a lot to do with Greene’s ability to make contact. His 19.1% barrel rate is in the 97th percentile, and the 40% launch angle sweet spot is in the 90th percentile.
- Rays starter Shane Baz could struggle against Greene, as his 42.0% opponent’s hard hit rate is in the 41st percentile, while his mediocre 10.4% opponent’s barrel rate is in the tenth percentile.
- Greene already has success off Baz and is a perfect 2-for-2, including a home run.
Make MLB Predictions on PrizePicks
The Rays head to Detroit for a matchup against two playoff contenders. The Rays are on a bit of slump, while the Tigers remain one of the MLB's best.
This game between the Rays vs. Tigers gives us some intriguing player predictions to consider on PrizePicks to start the week.
There are tons of player stat projections available to build your Lineup — with no salary or positional restrictions. Just pick at least two player stat projections to build your Lineup on PrizePicks.
Check out the Playbook throughout the remainder of the MLB season for more analysis for your PrizePicks and MLB DFS Lineups.
