Tigers vs Rays Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 17 (9/17): MLB

Credit: photo by Kim Clement-USA TODAY Sports

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Preview

Tonight we have the Tigers taking on the Rays.  The Tigers enter this one firmly out of the postseason picture.  They have some good young prospects and will continue to get their feet wet while this season comes to a close.  The Rays enter this game atop the AL East as they sit 8.5 games ahead of the Blue Jays and Red Sox.  They'll look to pick up some easy wins against a weaker opponent in the Tigers.

Pitching matchup

Tigers

Casey Mize (7-8, 3.66 ERA) will be on the mound for the Tigers when they take on the Rays.  Mize enters this game with a 1.14 WHIP and 4.54 XFIP. This season he carries a 19.3% strikeout rate along with a 7.3% walk rate.  Mize has handled right handed hitters pretty well this season limiting power and hard contact in the split, against left handed hittes it's been an entirely different story as he hs been hit extremely hard and has given up alot of power in the split.  The Rays lineup boasts some good left handed hitters through out its order, but don't count out the good right handed bats they will roll out as well. Mize could have his hands full against the Rays tonight.

Rays

Luisi Patino (4-3, 4.62 ERA) will be on the mound for the Rays when they take on the visiting Tigers.  Patino enters this game with a 1.37 WHIP and 5.44 XFIP.  This season he carries a 23% strikeout rate along with a 9.6% walk rate.  Patino has been extrmeley bad against left handed hitters this year. Against left handed hitters he owns a 16.3% strikeout right comapred to a 28.3% rate against right handed hitters, he also walks left handed hitters at a 16.3% clip as well, compared to a 4.4% clip against right handed hitters. This Tigers team could roll out a decent amount of lefties tonight and give Patino some trouble.

Prediction

I see both teams being able to get after these starting pitchers.  Both pitchers have terrible splits that both lineups should be able to take advantage of.  The Rays boast a strong lineup up and down the order while the Tiger have some good young hitters themeselves.  I'll target the total in this one.

PICK: Over 8.5 (-120)

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