The Rays are reeling after being swept at Kansas City and have lost six of their last eight games. They return home to the Trop following a 9-game road trip and not feeling well. Tampa is hitting just .213 the past month (.229 vs KC) and have won just 8 of their last 22 home games. Lefty Luke Scott returns to the lineup today but the Rays are still hurting without Longoria and Joyce in the lineup. Only Ben Zobrist is hitting well recently but he's 0-for-7 vs. Detroit starter Max Scherzer. The Tigers have the superior offense and have scored 22 runs the past three games at Texas including 9 runs and 17 hits off two solid right-handed starters at Texas their last two games. They face the usually strong right-hander James Shields, but note that Shields has 2 wins and a 4.69 ERA his last nine outings after starting the year 5-0. Well aware of Shields success against the Tigers, but note that Jhonny Peralta (9 for 19 w/3 HR) and Miguel Cabrera (10 for 22) have hit Shields very well and the Tigers lineup is swinging some strong batsl, including big left-hander Prince Fielder (.301, 12 HR). The Tigers first four batters in the lineup are all hitting over .300, and Shields will need to be near perfect with his offense struggling so badly and he's allowed 5 runs or more in three of his past five starts. Max Scherzer pitches with a heavy heart again following the death of his younger brother. He's made 3-straight quality starts and has 19 K's and just 1 BB his last two outings with 104 K's in 84 innings this season. He's pitching better than his season-long numbers and expect a solid start against the reeling Rays. Let's take the Tigers to extend our top-play MLB Big Drive run to 9-1.