Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Predictions June 21st 2025

Tigers, facing Rays, plot to end Saturday hex

After a dominant April that saw Detroit go 5–0 on Saturdays, the Tigers have stumbled badly in May and June, losing seven straight Saturday games by a combined 42–13 score. As they head to Tropicana Field for the middle contest of their three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit will lean on a mix of veteran leadership and returning arms to break the streak.

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Saturday Struggles and Manager’s Response

Detroit manager A.J. Hinch admitted that Saturday has become an unwelcome hurdle. “It’s not a great spot,” he said after Friday’s 14–8 loss, “but we’ll be fine. We have an off day on Monday, and we’re going to grind through these two games and try to win this series.”
For a deeper look at how Detroit’s weekend woes fit into the bigger picture, see our MLB previews section for context on Saturday matchups across the league.

Gipson-Long’s Turn in the Rotation

Right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (0–0, 3.97 ERA) will make his second start of the season and his first career outing against Tampa Bay. After missing all of 2024 following elbow and hip surgeries, he’s been eased in with relief stints; his most recent appearance saw three innings of one-earned-run ball versus Cincinnati. Detroit needs at least five innings from Gipson-Long to give Hinch’s bullpen a breather and finally snap the Saturday skid.
If you’re weighing your options for this start, check out our MLB picks page for expert-selected plays.

Rays’ Offensive Surge

Tampa Bay carried the momentum from their 16-hit outburst Friday into Saturday’s planning session. Every spot in their lineup recorded a hit, led by Yandy Díaz, who continues an 11-game hitting streak (22-for-47, .468) with four homers and 10 RBIs. Since May 20, the Rays own MLB’s best record at 21–8, a run powered by consistent contact and timely power.
Want a sense of which experts are backing the Rays? Our best handicappers leaderboard highlights who’s on fire.

Saturday Starter for the Rays

The Rays will counter with right-hander Ryan Pepiot (4–6, 3.11 ERA), making his 16th start. He’s 2–1 with a stingy 1.62 ERA over his past five outings, most recently firing eight innings of one-run ball with 11 strikeouts against Baltimore. In two career starts versus Detroit, Pepiot has limited the Tigers to a 2.12 ERA over 17 innings.
If you prefer turnkey suggestions, browse our buy picks for ready-made tickets.

Betting Outlook and Expert Resources

With Detroit’s rotation still finding its footing and Tampa Bay’s offense in full swing, the Rays present an attractive wagering target. New to baseball betting? Our MLB expert betting guide walks you through the essentials, from bankroll management to prop markets.

Detroit aims to end its Saturday hex with a strong outing from Gipson-Long, while Tampa Bay looks to extend its red-hot hitting and rely on Pepiot’s recent dominance. Game time in St. Petersburg will tell whether the Tigers can reclaim their Saturday form or if the Rays continue to assert themselves as baseball’s best team this spring.