Detroit Tigers vs Tampa Bay Rays: Independence Day Preview, TV/Radio Coverage, Lineup

Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers (47-34) vs Tampa Bay Rays (38-49) — 7:08 p.m.

Comerica Park — Detroit, MI

TV: Fox Sports Detroit, ESPN

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather: 74 degrees, clear

Game Notes

The Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays will take center stage nationally as two of the next three games will be broadcast on ESPN, including tonight’s 4th of July contest–though it will be available locally on FSD. Sunday night’s game will be on ESPN exclusively.

The Tigers will be wearing the caps at right for today’s holiday contest.

When We Last Met

The surging Tampa Bay Rays were out surged by the surging Detroit Tigers in the first game of the teams’ four-game series on Thursday. Tampa Bay jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first, but the Tigers’ bats put the game out of reach in the bottom half of that inning with three homers and five runs scored. Max Scherzer allowed just one more hit and went eight strong innings to pick up his 10th win of the season as Detroit coasted to an easy 8-1 victory.

Pitching Matchup

Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Drew Smyly (4-7, 3.57) weathered the worst outing of his (starting) career when he could only survive into the third inning of a 6-4 loss to the Houston Astros on Sunday. Smyly was wild, walking two, allowing eight hits and four runs. It was revealed after the game that the lefty had been battling cold/flu-like symptoms but choose to start the game anyway. Manager Brad Ausmus indicated Smyly appears to be better, but still is a bit hoarse.

Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Cobb (3-6, 4.20), like his team, has had an up and down season. The right-handed starter has allowed nine runs over his last two starts, but the Rays got out the bats to bail him out of the last start, a 12-7 win in Baltimore on Tuesday. Cobb was brilliant in his one meeting with the Tigers last season, shutting them out through 7 2/3 of a 3-0 Tampa Bay win on June 5, 2013.

Detroit Tigers Lineup

The Tigers lineup will be announced later today, likely around 3:30 or so. Because the staff of Motor City Bengals will be out making merry to celebrate the holiday, please check our Twitter account for the lineup when it’s announced!

https://twitter.com/MCB_Tigers

Happy Independence Day and Happy Birthday, America!

Injuries