Rays vs. Tigers Prediction and Odds for Friday, August 5 (Expect Low-Scoring Affair)

The Tampa Bay Rays are on a dreadful stretch as road favorites, winning just two of their last nine, but hope to keep pace in the AL Wild Card race with a win over the lowly Detroit Tigers tonight.

Corey Kluber takes the mound for Tampa after a rough July in which he compiled a 5.34 ERA. Despite his struggles, the Rays have wins in four of Kluber's last five starts thanks to a potent lineup.

Detroit turns to Bryan Garcia in his second start of the year. He's a converted reliever and struggled in his previous major league stints, but the Tigers' bullpen figures to factor heavily in today's decision.

Can Kluber get back on track or will Detroit take advantage of Tampa's road struggles?

To find the value in this Rays vs Tigers matchup, let's check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook:

Rays vs Tigers Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Rays: -1.5 (-120)
• Tigers: +1.5 (+100)

Moneyline:

• Rays: -190
• Tigers: +175

Total:

• 8.0 (Over -110/Under -110)

Rays vs Tigers Prediction and Pick

Corey Kluber's surface-level statistics indicate he's struggled, but a deeper look reveals he's just been unlucky of late. Thus, I see value on both a bounce-back performance from him today.

In Kluber's six July starts, he allowed at least four earned runs four times. However, he posted a FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) lower than 3.51 in four of his last five outings. Against a Detroit team that ranks dead-last in OPS leaguewide over the last three weeks, Kluber's luck should turn around.

Prior to July, Kluber allowed two or fewer runs in seven of eight starts, and I think he returns to that form today.

But it's difficult to have much faith in Tampa's offense either, as it's averaging a pathetic 2.92 runs per game over its last dozen contests. The Rays went 4-8 in that stretch.

With Detroit's bullpen ranking third in MLB in ERA, I think runs will be hard to come by today. As a result, I like the under. It's 5-1 in Kluber's last six road outings and 7-4-1 in the Rays' last 12 with that struggling lineup.

Back the under as Kluber returns to form and the Tampa's lineup falters.

Pick: Under 8.0 (-110)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.