Introduction
The Detroit Tigers have a chance to finish a road sweep after an 8-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night. The bats have shown life fast in June, with Detroit scoring 18 runs over the past pair of games after scoring that same total in the final six-and-a-half games of May.
Tigers(24-38)
Rays(36-22)The matchup on Wednesday puts Troy Melton on the mound for Detroit. The right-hander has given the Tigers useful length in his two starts so far in the 2026 campaign, and this will be his first-ever appearance against Tampa Bay.
The Rays counter with Nick Martinez, who has been sharp all season. He has seven quality starts, including three straight coming into Wednesday, and has allowed no more than two runs in any of his 11 outings. His strikeout totals are not a main focus, but he has done a strong job limiting walks.
The last time Martinez faced the Tigers was last year on June 13, when he allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five over five frames to take the loss.
How to Watch
- Matchup: Detroit Tigers (24-38) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (36-22)
- Time (ET): 1:10 p.m.
- Place: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
- TV: Detroit SportsNet
- Streaming: MLB.TV
- Radio: Tigers Radio Network
- Game 63: RHP Troy Melton (1-0, 1.42 ERA) vs. RHP Nick Martinez (5-1, 1.62 ERA)
- Join the conversation: DSN Tigers Facebook Group
Betting Outlook
| Matchup | Run Line | Total Runs | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Tigers (Troy Melton) | +1.5 (-170) | Over 8 (-108) | +124 |
| Tampa Bay Rays (Nick Martinez) | -1.5 (+140) | Under 8 (-111) | -149 |
The Tampa Bay Rays enter as the favorites at -149 on the moneyline, while the Detroit Tigers are listed at +124, making Detroit the underdog despite getting +1.5 runs on the run line. Bettors looking for extra protection can back the Tigers at +1.5 (-170), while those expecting a Rays victory by multiple runs can take Tampa Bay -1.5 (+140) for a larger payout.
Oddsmakers have set the game total at 8 runs, with the market showing a slight lean toward the Under 8 (-111) compared to the Over 8 (-108). For bettors shopping around, comparing odds across sportsbooks, including some of the lesser-known betting app options, can sometimes uncover better prices and improved value on either side of the matchup.
Predictions
This is a good test for Detroit’s lineup. The Tigers have looked much better at the plate to start June, but Martinez has not given teams much room. He has been steady, limits damage, and does not hand out many free passes.
Melton will need to keep the ball on the ground and avoid traffic early. Tampa Bay has the better record, but Detroit has played clean baseball in this series and has the edge in recent form.
Prediction: Tigers 4, Rays 3. Detroit’s offense may not match the 8-0 pace from Tuesday, but there is enough momentum here to think the Tigers can finish the sweep.
More
Here is how the starting pitchers compare:
| Player | G | IP | K% | BB% | GB% | FIP | fWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melton | 2 | 12.2 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 38.1 | 3.40 | 0.3 |
| Martinez | 11 | 66.2 | 15.2 | 4.5 | 40.1 | 3.26 | 1.6 |
The main thing for Detroit is whether the lineup can carry over its jump in run support. The Tigers are undefeated in June, and while the month is only two days old, the shift at the plate has been clear.
For Melton, this start is another chance to show he can keep giving Detroit stable innings. For Martinez, the Rays will look for another low-run outing from one of their most steady arms this season.
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