Rays vs. Tigers Prediction and Odds for Saturday, August 6 (The McClanahan Bounce Back Game)
By Josh Yourish
The Tampa Bay Rays are riding a three-game winning streak into Game 3 of this weekend series with the Detroit Tigers and now they trot out their Cy Young candidate onto the mound.
Shane McClanahan makes his 21st start of the season tonight, coming off of his worst outing of the year. He is opposed by right-hander Garrett Hill of the Tigers.
The Rays need to extend this winning streak to keep pace in the Wild Card race, as the Blue Jays are beginning to pull away and Seattle is just a half game behind Tampa. They are currently 57-49 and Detroit is 42-66, good for the second worst record in the American League.
Odds are available for this matchup at WynnBET Sportsbook.
Rays vs. Tigers Odds, Run Line and Total
Run Line
- Rays -2.5 (+110)
- Tigers +2.5 (-155)
Moneyline
- Rays -265
- Tigers +237
Total
- 7.5 (Over +100 / Under -120)
Rays vs. Tigers Prediction and Pick
As a team, Detroit is hitting below the Mendoza line in their last ten games and has the lowest slugging percentage and OPS in the MLB. They have hit 21 less home runs than the second to last place team with 64 to Washington’s 85. They are a team with no pop going against arguably the best pitcher in baseball.
Shane McClanahan has to be frustrated with his last start. He allowed a season high five earned runs on seven hits in 4.1 against Cleveland and the Rays have actually lost his last two starts. They were beaten 5-3 both times. McClanahan did make his last start on just four days of rest. Something he has done this season, but he has clearly benefited from the normal five day rotation, which he has this time around.
I mentioned that Detroit can’t hit the ball hard and have almost no power in their lineup, well McClanahan doesn’t really allow too many hard hit balls. He has given up 14 homers this season, but his expected slugging percentage ranks in the 88th percentile and his hard hit rate is in the 95 percentile. All of his stats are insane, but those two indicate that Detroit's lifeless offense won’t find the defibrillator in this game.
Pick: Rays -2.5 (+110)
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