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Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers June 20th 2025
The Detroit Tigers travel to Tampa, FL, to take on the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The game is set for Friday, June 20, 2025, with a start time of 7:05 PM. Fans can catch the action on FDSSU, and the weather forecast calls for a very hot day with light rain.
The Tigers, led by manager A.J. Hinch, hold a record of 48-28 this season. They will rely on Jack Flaherty, who has an ERA of 4.03, to take the mound. On the other side, the Rays, managed by Kevin Cash, have a 41-34 record. Shane Baz, with an ERA of 4.54, will be the starting pitcher for Tampa Bay. Both teams aim to improve their standing in their respective divisions.
Tigers vs Rays Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Detroit Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
- Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL
- Date: Friday, June 20, 2025
- Betting Odds: Tigers MoneyLine -108, Rays MoneyLine -110
The Tigers Can Win If…
The Detroit Tigers recently played against the Pittsburgh Pirates and won 9-2. Tarik Skubal pitched well, allowing only two runs in over five innings. Gleyber Torres and Riley Greene were key hitters, combining for six RBIs.
Detroit’s offense ranks 8th in batting average and home runs this season. Their slugging percentage is 5th, showing they can hit for power. With players like Spencer Torkelson, who has 16 home runs, they have the ability to score runs quickly.
On the mound, Jack Flaherty will start for the Tigers. His ERA of 4.03 suggests he can control the game. The Tigers’ pitching staff ranks 5th in ERA, making them a tough team to score against.
The Rays Can Win If…
The Tampa Bay Rays look to bounce back after a recent 1-4 loss against the Baltimore Orioles. In that game, Yandy Díaz and Josh Lowe each contributed with hits, but the Rays struggled to score. Drew Rasmussen pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs, while striking out five batters.
The Rays have strong hitting stats, with a .253 batting average, ranking 7th in the league. They are also leading the league in stolen bases with 101, which can be a game-changer. Junior Caminero and Brandon Lowe are key players, with Caminero having 17 home runs and Lowe hitting .266 this season.
On the mound, Shane Baz will start for the Rays with a record of 6-3. Baz’s ability to strike out batters, along with the Rays’ 7th-ranked ERA of 3.49, gives them a solid chance. With their lineup and pitching depth, the Rays have the tools to secure a win against the Detroit Tigers.
The Lean
The Tigers are the pick for the moneyline at -108. Both teams have similar batting averages, but the Tigers have a slightly better slugging percentage and fewer home runs allowed. My model projects the Tigers to win with a score of 5-4.
For the over/under, the recommendation is to take the over 8.5. The Tigers and Rays both have solid hitting stats, and their pitching ranks show room for runs. The projected total score is 9, which suggests the over is a good choice.
Stay Ahead of the Diamond
MLB Data & Insights
A Potential Playoff Preview as Tigers Visit Rays
A battle between two of the American League’s best begins on Friday night as the major-league-leading Detroit Tigers visit the surging Tampa Bay Rays. Both teams feature elite offenses, but they go about scoring their runs in very different ways.
A Tale of Two Offenses
The Tigers come into this series with the second-ranked offense in the AL, a balanced attack that has them on pace for their best season since their last World Series title in 1984. They arrive in Tampa, however, fresh off a long, rain-delayed doubleheader on Thursday.
The Rays, meanwhile, create chaos with their speed. They lead the major leagues with 101 stolen bases and pride themselves on manufacturing runs.
“You’re not living and dying by the home run ball,” said Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe. “We can bunt a guy home and score with good baserunning. It’s a dangerous thing to have as an offense when you have so many ways you can score.” The matchup of these two elite but different styles is a fascinating topic in our expert betting guide.
A Duel of Pitchers on Different Paths
Friday’s pitching matchup features two right-handers on opposite trajectories. The Tigers will start Jack Flaherty (5-7, 4.03 ERA), who is looking to bounce back from his worst start of the season, where he was shelled for seven runs.
“Things unraveled from there,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said of Flaherty’s tough third inning in that outing.
The Rays will counter with Shane Baz (6-3, 4.54 ERA), who is coming off one of his best starts of the year, a dominant performance of 6 2/3 scoreless innings against the Mets. This contrast on the mound will be a key focus on the scores and odds board.
As two of the top MLB teams in the American League clash, this series has a distinct playoff feel. To see who our experts think will win the opener, check out our daily MLB picks.
