Detroit at Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay posted a series-opening win Monday and sits at 36-20, the best record in the AL East. Tonight's matchup puts Steven Matz on the mound for the Rays, and that is where this run line play lives. Matz was shelled in his last start against Baltimore — six runs, seven hits, three innings — and the Tampa bullpen has been burning extra innings to cover the gap. Detroit sends Jack Flaherty out with a 0-7 record through a dozen starts this season, but staying within the run line is the play here, not who wins. Matz's recent blowup and Flaherty's consistent vulnerability project a messy, higher-scoring game where margins stay tight. Detroit's offense is nothing special, but it doesn't need to be special — it needs to hang around. The Tigers cover the number. Take the Tigers on the runline.