Detroit Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 5/18/2022

Time: 1:10 p.m. ET

Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL

Where to watch: Bally Sports Detroit, Bally Sports Sun

DraftKings: Odds not available at time of publishing

BetMGM: Odds not available at time of publishing

Caesars: Odds not available at time of publishing

Tigers: 13-24

Rays: 22-15

The Detroit Tigers had their four-game winning streak end Tuesday in an 8-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, which for the moment at least stopped any positive thoughts involving  the Tigers getting back up to speed.

Detroit had seven hits but could only bring one run across home plate. By that point, the Tigers were already down 3-1 before Jeimer Candelario's 430-foot blast to left-center field cut the Tampa lead to two. Alas, Beau Brieske lasted just 5.1 innings while giving up six runs and only struck out four. Giving up two home runs didn't help matters either.

Robbie Grossman went 2-for-4 in the leadoff spot to push his average to .214, a rather unfortunate start for the usually reliable outfielder. Javy Baez went 1-for-4 and his struggles at the plate continue at .211. Miguel Cabrera also went 0-for-4, but that seems to be fine as long as you understand he's already accomplished everything he's wanted to with his 3,000th hit and so forth.

The Tigers have embraced the youth movement. Spencer Torkelson is supposed to be the guy at some point, but his average is plummeting to .158 after a 1-for-3 outing. This is just the life of the Tigers right now, and while that excitement is going to get fans pumped going forward, the fact they struggled against the Rays is a sign they need to find a way to start hitting off some pitching in general.

Speaking of pitching, it's rare to get that from the Tampa Bay Rays on most nights when they're usually playing with the bullpen from the get-go. Their one star pitcher, Shane McClanahan, did the work on this day with seven strikeouts in seven innings in Tampa's dominant win.

The Rays aided their young ace with three homers and 11 hits to pace the way. A reminder that the Rays can dominate at both sides of the diamond if they really wanted to toy with some folks.

"It's always a treat to see," said McClanahan. "When those guys are firing on all cylinders, it's awesome. It's special. ... It's truly fun to be a part of."

Three players had at least two hits for the Rays, with Yandy Diaz and Harold Ramirez putting in two each at the leadoff and cleanup spots. Kevin Kiermaier had three hits, but also went yard to pull the Rays away. Randy Arozarena also homered and had two RBI.

"No doubt we've been a little inconsistent to start the season, but this game is really tough," said Kiermaier, who raised his average to .200. "It seems like pitchers get better year after year and we put a lot of pressure on ourselves. It's crazy how quickly you can dig yourselves into a hole offensively, but you try to make adjustments as the season goes along."

That inconsistency is part of why the Rays find themselves looking up at the New York Yankees in the AL East division race. But that's why they play 162 games. Let's see how the next month or so unfolds.

The Rays are just the better team from top to bottom, and it wouldn't surprise me to see them continue this domination with Drew Rasmussen on the mound. I like the way that matchup favors Tampa and it should result in a victory. Rays win 6-2

Tigers are 3-8 this season as an underdog of +150 or more.

Tigers are 24-18 against AL East teams the past three years.

Rays are 12-3 this season as a favorite between -125 and -175.

Tigers:
Robbie Grossman (S) RF
Willi Castro (S) LF
Javier Baez (R) SS
Miguel Cabrera (R) DH
Jeimer Candelario (S) 3B
Jonathan Schoop (R) 2B
Eric Haase (R) C
Spencer Torkelson (R) 1B
Daz Cameron (R) CF
SP - Eduardo Rodriguez

Rays:
Yandy Diaz (R) 3B
Wander Franco (S) SS
Harold Ramirez (R) DH
Ji-Man Choi (L) 1B
Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF
Vidal Brujan (S) 2B
Mike Zunino (R) C
Brett Phillips (L) RF
SP - Drew Rasmussen

Batting average: Miguel Cabrera -- .286

Hits: Miguel Cabrera -- 34

Home runs: Four tied -- 3

RBI: Miguel Cabrera -- 14

Wins: Two tied -- 3

Saves: Gregory Soto -- 6

ERA: Tarik Skubal -- 2.50

Batting average: Wander Franco -- .271

Hits: Wander Franco -- 39

Home runs: Brandon Lowe -- 5

RBI: Manuel Margot -- 21

Wins: Four tied -- 3

Saves: Andrew Kittredge -- 5

ERA: Shane McClanahan -- 2.33