Rays vs. Tigers Predictions, Picks & Odds for Wednesday’s Rubber Match

A rubber match in Detroit, Michigan, kicks off Wednesday’s MLB slate as the Tigers (62-70) host the Tampa Bay Rays (78-54) in the series finale at Comerica Park. The first two games both ended with a 4-1 score, with the Rays earning the series-opening win before the Tigers responded with a victory to even the series.

There wasn’t a ton of offense in Monday’s series opener as the Rays held an early 3-1 lead after four innings before Jonathan Aranda hit his 16th home run of the season in the sixth. Tampa Bay’s pitchers also notably recorded 12 strikeouts in the ballgame. Game 2 was much of the same, but the Tigers managed to put together a three-run fifth inning highlighted by No. 1 prospect Max Clark’s go-ahead two-run home run.

Troy Melton is scheduled to take the mound for the Tigers in the rubber match, and the 25-year-old has been impressive during his first season as a full-time starter in MLB. The young right-hander is 7-2 with a 1.70 ERA across 15 starts and has yet to allow more than four earned runs in an outing this year. Freddy Peralta gets another shot to prove himself to the Rays’ organization following his trade from the New York Mets as he’s set to make his fifth start with the team Wednesday afternoon. The veteran right-hander is 0-2 with a 7.17 ERA through his first four starts since joining the Rays and is 5-11 with a 5.33 ERA overall this season.

Rays vs. Tigers Odds

Wednesday afternoon’s series finale is listed as a close one at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, with the Tigers as home favorites on the moneyline but the Rays favored on the run line:

• Moneyline: Tigers -115, Rays +105
• Run Line: Rays -1.5 (+185), Tigers +1.5 (-195)
• Total (Runs): Over 7.5 (+105), Under 7.5 (-115)

The clock is ticking on Hard Rock Bet’s 10¢ Summer Sale, which runs through Aug. 31. Until then, qualifying pregame MLB Moneyline, Run Line, and Total markets feature reduced-vig dime lines, giving players tighter pricing on eligible wagers.

Rays vs. Tigers Predictions

The first game on Wednesday’s MLB slate means the first chance to get in on the day’s baseball betting action at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook. The Stats Hub offers daily MLB insights and trends to help inspire wagers to make on each game, such as the one below for Rays vs. Tigers:

Tigers vs. Rays Best Bet: Under 7.5 Runs (-115)

There hasn’t been much offense through the first two games of this series, as both games ended with five total runs scored. Neither the Rays nor the Tigers have been scoring much lately, either, as Tampa Bay is averaging 2.3 runs per game over its last six contests while Detroit is averaging 2.7 runs per game over its last seven.

Troy Melton has been pitching great for the Tigers this season, so the one risky factor with this pick is how Freddy Peralta will look on the mound for the Rays. Peralta allowed five earned runs over seven innings in his last start and has allowed 17 runs through his first four outings since being acquired by the team, but he does have a lower ERA and a much lower opponents’ batting average during day games compared to night games this year.

The Stats Hub also notes that eight of the Rays’ last nine road games against AL Central opponents have gone Under the total runs line.

• Tigers vs. Rays Total Pick for Aug. 26: Under 7.5 Runs (-115)

Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props for TB-DET

It wouldn’t be a Rays game if Junior Caminero wasn’t a popular selection in the player prop markets, and the superstar third baseman owns the top two most-bet player props heading into first pitch:

1. Junior Caminero – Over 0.5 Home Runs
2. Junior Caminero – Over 0.5 Hits
3. Yandy Díaz – Over 0.5 Hits
4. Chandler Simpson – Over 0.5 Hits
5. Troy Melton – Over 3.5 Strikeouts

Rays vs. Tigers Betting Splits

Here’s how the action is trending at Hard Rock Bet for Wednesday afternoon’s rubber match in Detroit:

• The Rays are attracting more action on the moneyline with 53.6% of bets, but the Tigers are pulling in a larger share of the money with 56.7% of the handle.
• Detroit is generating more action on the run line with 54.6% of bets, but Tampa Bay accounts for slightly more of the money with 51.8% of the handle.
• The Over is bringing in 53.4% of bets on the total, but the Under is drawing an overwhelming amount of the money with 96.5% of the handle.

Rays vs. Tigers Game Info

• 📍 Where: Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
• 📅 Date: Wednesday, Aug. 26
• ⏰ First Pitch: 1:10 PM ET
• 📺💻 TV/Streaming: MLB.TV
• ⚾ Probable Pitchers:
  • Rays: Freddy Peralta
  • Tigers: Troy Melton

More Ways to Bet

One swing can cash your ticket, but until then, Florida players can keep things interesting with Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing, only on Hard Rock Bet. It’s another way to stay engaged between plate appearances.

Referenced odds are subject to change.