Detroit @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( May 2, 2018 ) Tampa Bay 2, Detroit 3

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a pair of shutouts and continue to keep themselves around the .500 mark in the American League East thanks in large part to the pitching staff. That staff will try to continue posting zeros when the Rays host the Detroit Tigers in the opener of a three-game series on Monday.

Nathan Eovaldi took a perfect game into the seventh inning in Sundays 7-0 triumph over the New York Mets, one day after Blake Snell dominated in a 3-0 victory. Tampa Bay's staff allowed three or fewer runs in 10 of the last 12 games and is set to get a boost on Monday, when opening day starter Chris Archer rejoins the rotation after over a month on the disabled list. Archer will be taking on a Detroit offense that scored three or fewer runs in 13 of the last 18 contests and is coming off a 3-0 loss at home to the Texas Rangers on Sunday. The Tigers, who will send veteran Francisco Liriano to the mound on Monday, close the first half with a six-game road trip through Tampa Bay and Houston.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Francisco Liriano (3-5, 4.03 ERA) vs. Rays RH Chris Archer (3-4, 4.24)

Liriano is winless in his last eight starts and suffered the loss in each of the last four while struggling with his control. The Dominican Republic native issued a season-high five walks over six innings at the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday and was charged with three runs, marking the seventh consecutive start in which he walked at least three. Liriano made five appearances - four starts - against Tampa Bay last season and went 1-1 with a 6.61 ERA and 16 walks in 16 1/3 total innings.

Archer is making his return to the rotation following over a month on the disabled list with an abdominal strain and is expected to be limited to 75 pitches. The North Carolina native was cruising before going down and allowed a total of three runs in his last four starts, spanning 23 2/3 innings. Archer was a tough-luck loser at Detroit on May 1, when he allowed two runs and six hits in six innings but could not get any support in a game Tampa Bay lost 2-1.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays CF Kevin Kiermaier (back tightness) sat out Sunday but could be back in the lineup on Monday.

2. Detroit RF Nicholas Castellanos (wrist) was scratched from the lineup on Sunday and is day-to-day.

3. Tampa Bay C Wilson Ramos and Detroit RHP Joe Jimenez were selected to the AL All-Star team on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Tigers 1