Detroit Tigers vs Tampa Bay Rays: Prediction for the match on 08 July 2025

Detroit Tigers vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction and Odds on the Match on July 08, 2025

The Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays will square it off at Comerica Park in game two of a three-game Major League Baseball series. The Detroit Tigers took a big win in the opener and extended their unbeaten run. Can the Tampa Bay Rays get on track? Below, I will preview this game and offer predictions. 

Detroit Tigers: Form and Statistics

The Detroit Tigers kept their cool in the opener of this series and will hope to keep things going. In that encounter, this team needed two runs in the second and seventh inning with a run in the fifth to win. However, Detroit Tigers have also completed a sweep over the Cleveland Guardians, overturning a deficit against the Washington Nationals which saw them lose the last two games. Ahead of this encounter, the Detroit Tigers have a 58-34 record which see them sit top of the American League. 

Detroit Tigers Team News and Lineup

The Detroit Tigers are expected to go with Jack Flaherty on the mound as the starting pitcher in this second game. This season, Flaherty has a 5-9 with an average earned runs of 4.84 and 109 strikeouts this season. However, he has a 0-2 record against the Tampa Bay Rays with an 11.91 average earned runs and 15 strikeouts.

Detroit Tigers Expected Lineup

Colt Keith (L) DH, Gleyber Torres (R) 2B, Zach McKinstry (L) RF, Riley Greene (L) LF, Spencer Torkelson (R) 1B, Dillon Dingler (R) C, Parker Meadows (L) CF, Trey Sweeney (L) SS, Javier Báez (R) 3B

Tampa Bay Rays: Form and Statistics

The Tampa Bay Rays could not display any quality play in yesterday's opener and could only walk away with a third inning run as they lost 5-1. However, that result is a confirmation of series of inconsistent and poor plays from the visiting team lately. In their last three series, the Tampa Bay Rays have failed to win any, losing to the Baltimore Orioles, Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins. Heading into this game, the Tampa Bay Rays sit 5th in the American League with a 49-42 record. 

Tampa Bay Rays Team News and Lineup

The Tampa Bay Rays will go with Ryan Pepiot as their starting pitcher in this game two. Pepiot has been impressive this season and has a 6-6 record. He pulled off an average earned run of 3.34 and 101 strikeouts in those matches. In his career, Pepiot is 1-1 with a 2.25 average earned runs and 17 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers. 

Tampa Bay Rays Expected Lineup

Yandy Díaz (R) DH, Jonathan Aranda (L) 1B, Junior Caminero (R) 3B, Josh Lowe (L) RF, Jake Mangum (S) LF, José Caballero (R) 2B, Chandler Simpson (L) CF, Taylor Walls (S) SS, Danny Jansen (R) C

Detroit Tigers vs Tampa Bay Rays Betting Tips & Odds

• The Tampa Bay Rays have been victorious in 20, or 48.8%, of the 41 contests they have been chosen as underdogs in this season. The bookies give the Tampa Bay Rays probability of 49.5% according to the moneyline set for this matchup.
• The Detroit Tigers have entered 61 games as favourites this season and won 43 (70.5%) of those contests. For this game, the bookies give them a 55 percent moneyline chance.
• Tampa Bay Rays have won the last two games of this fixture. A win for the home team is available on 1Xbet with odds at 1.76.
• Only one of the last five matches involving the Detroit Tigers and other teams have ended with more than six runs. Under 8.0 runs is a possibility with odds at 1.86 on Bet365 bookmaker.
• The Detroit Tigers have scored at least five runs in four of the last five encounters against the Tampa Bay Rays. Over 3.5 runs for the home team is available on Betway with odds at 1.69.
• Only one of the last four meetings between Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers have not ended with at least eleven runs. Over 8.5 runs is available on Betway with odds at 2.10.
• Tampa Bay Rays won the last series of this game and have a chance to still put that run here. A win for the visiting team is available on 1Xbet with odds at 2.07.

Detroit Tigers vs Tampa Bay Rays Match Prediction 08 July 2025

The Tampa Bay Rays are definitely not a bad team and it will be harsh to think they can turn the tables after a poor opener. However, this team has been awful in the past weeks, compared with how solid they were in the beginning of the season. On the other hand, the Detroit Tigers just look like a side not ready to go behind their top spot going into the postseason. In fact, their incredible run of performances to this series is a testament to this as they have been impressive and consistent. On the other hand, the Tampa Bay Rays did win the last series in this fixture, and I expect a more ruthless performance from them which demands a better offensive display. Therefore, with a different performance from the opener expected, a bet on runs is expected. Also, I believe the Tampa Bay Rays have a chance to even this series before the finale. 

Our match prediction is over 7.5 runs with odds at 1.81 on 1Xbet bookmaker. 

Our betting tip is a win for the Tampa Bay Rays with odds at 2.10 on Bet365 bookmaker. 

Our final match prediction is Tampa Bay Rays over 3.5 runs with odds at 1.83 on Betway bookmaker.