First pitch is scheduled for 6:50 PM ET, with live coverage on Bally Sports Sun, Bally Sports Detroit, and MLB.TV.
Game Overview: Tigers vs Rays – AL Contenders Collide in Florida
This is the first meeting of the 2025 season between two American League playoff hopefuls. The Tigers, leading the AL Central, are coming off a doubleheader split with Pittsburgh and have not lost a road series since April. The Rays, second in the AL East, are 5–2 in their last seven games and looking to gain ground on the Yankees.
Detroit Tigers: Road Warriors with Rotation Depth
Record: 48–28 (22–16 on the road)
Last Game: Split doubleheader vs Pirates
Probable Starter: Jack Flaherty (5–7, 4.03 ERA)
Strengths:
- Rotation Stability: Detroit ranks 4th in MLB with a 3.36 team ERA.
- Power Surge: 91 home runs (5th in AL), led by Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene.
- Road Resilience: Undefeated in road series since April 30.
Key Players:
- Spencer Torkelson: 16 HRs, 32 XBH, .515 SLG
- Riley Greene: 55 RBIs, .518 SLG, 47.1% hard-hit rate
- Javier Báez: Batting .405 over last 10 games with 3 HRs
Tampa Bay Rays: Balanced Attack and Home Field Edge
Record: 41–34 (25–22 at home)
Last Game: 2–2 series split vs Orioles
Probable Starter: Shane Baz (6–3, 4.54 ERA)
Strengths:
- Offensive Consistency: .253 team batting average (3rd in AL), 4.61 runs/game.
- Pitching Depth: 3.49 team ERA (7th in MLB), .224 opponent batting average.
- Recent Form: 6–4 in last 10 games, outscoring opponents by 17 runs.
Key Players:
- Junior Caminero: 17 HRs, 48 RBIs, .262 AVG
- Yandy Díaz: .452 AVG over last 10 games, 2 HRs, 8 RBIs
- Jonathan Aranda: .329 AVG, .525 SLG
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
| Category | Tigers | Rays |
|---|---|---|
| Team Batting Avg | .252 (10th in MLB) | .253 (9th in MLB) |
| Team ERA | 3.36 (4th) | 3.49 (7th) |
| Home Runs | 91 (5th in AL) | 84 (8th in AL) |
| Last 10 Games | 6–4 | 6–4 |
| Last Meeting (2024) | Tigers swept 3–0 | — |
- Under has hit in 5 of Rays’ last 7 games with Baz starting
- Tigers are 5–9 in games started by Flaherty this season
- Rays are 10–4 in Baz’s starts in 2025
Game Odds
Detroit Tigers 8.5
Tampa Bay Rays – 115
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, June 19, 2025
