Rays minus $1.15 at Tigers
I liked Jordan Zimmerman a lot when he pitched for the Nationals.
I hate him from a handicapping perspective since he’s been with the Tigers. It is going on three years now that Zimmerman has been with Detroit and he keeps worse and worse.
Zimmerman had a 4.87 ERA in his first year with Detroit in 2016. His ERA climbed to 6.08 last year and it is 7.91 this season. This will be Zimmerman’s sixth start of the year. He has yet to post a quality outing. Zimmerman’s career ERA versus Tampa Bay is 4.55 in five starts.
So I’m willing to fade Zimmerman at this short road price with the Rays, who are 8-1 in their last nine games and playing with far more confidence than the Tigers. Detroit is 3-6 in its last nine games on course for another 98 game-loss type of season.
The youthful Tigers may not have their full concentration either returning home after being on the road for the past week. They also are likely to be without their best hitter, Miguel Cabrera. He left Sunday’s game after four inning with left biceps spasms.
Tampa Bay starter Jake Faria is a promising second-year pitcher, who is 1-0 with a 3.45 ERA during his last three starts. I would prefer him at home, but the Rays are 7-3 in his last 10 road starts. Faria defeated the Tigers last season allowing one run on six hits in seven innings. He’s my preferred choice against Zimmerman especially with Cabrera likely out.
