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<\/a>Tampa Bay heads out on the road for the first time during the young 2012 campaign this week, coming off a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s looking good,\u201d commented Rays first baseman Carlos Pena in talking about the season.\u00a0 He certainly contributed in a big way over the first three games, finishing 6 for 12 with two home runs and seven RBIs.\u00a0 The Rays are 3-0 for just the second time in franchise history.\u00a0 Tampa bay is 20-20 as a road underdog of plus-100 to plus-125 over the last two-plus years.<\/p>\n
Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore gained some big-league experience at the end of 2011, making three appearances (one start) and posting a 1-0 record and 2.89 ERA.\u00a0 He managed to strike out 15 batters in just 9 1\/3 innings of work.\u00a0 The left-hander isn\u2019t going to sneak up on anybody in terms of preparation, as he came into Spring Training as the top prospect in baseball.\u00a0 Moore also participated in the team\u2019s postseason series against the Texas Rangers, throwing seven innings of two-hit ball in picking up a 9-0 victory in Game 1 of the AL division series.<\/p>\n
Detroit managed to score 26 runs in its three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox inside today\u2019s venue, as third baseman Miguel Cabrera and first baseman Price Fielder have gotten off to solid starts.\u00a0 The Tigers hit .345 overall in the series, with the dynamic duo combining for five home runs and 11 RBIs.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get this straight, it\u2019s not about Prince and me,\u201d stated Cabrera about the attention the two have received.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve got 25 guys.\u201d\u00a0 The team is 156-90 at home since the beginning of the 2009 season.\u00a0 Detroit is 78-54 in day games the last two-plus campaigns.<\/p>\n
Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello tallied a 14-9 record and 4.75 ERA in 31 starts a year ago, which included an even 5-5 mark and 5.64 ERA in 14 home appearances.\u00a0 The right-hander has registered a losing 4-7 record and 6.04 ERA in 14 career outings in April, allowing opposing batters to hit .322 against him.\u00a0 Porcello will be taking on the Rays for just the third time in his career, posting an even 1-1 mark and 3.46 ERA, giving up just nine hits in 13 frames.<\/p>\n
Bettors will likely back the Tigers due to their 4-0 record in Porcello\u2019s last four starts as a home favorite, while the Rays are 1-7 in the last eight meetings in this series.<\/p>\n