AP Sports Preview: Tigers at Rays ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Interstat) — The Tampa Bay Rays host the Detroit Tigers on Monday, June 1, 2026, at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. under cloudy skies and a gametime temperature of 86 degrees. The Rays (36-20) enter as one of the American League’s top teams and have been installed as -1.5 run favorites. The over/under is 7.5 runs. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-2 Tampa Bay victory. Tampa Bay will send left-hander Shane McClanahan (4-1 over his last five starts) to the mound. McClanahan has been effective, allowing one earned run or fewer in four of his past five outings, including a win Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels in which he allowed one earned run over five innings. He struck out three and scattered four hits in that 5-2 victory. Over his last five starts, McClanahan has posted a 1.78 ERA across 26 innings, striking out 23 while walking just five. Detroit (22-38) counters with right-hander Keider Montero, who has struggled to find run support despite solid outings. In his most recent start Sunday at Chicago, Montero took a tough-luck loss, allowing no earned runs over six innings while striking out four. The Tigers managed just one run in that 2-1 defeat. Over his past five starts, Montero has a 3.61 ERA, but Detroit has lost all five games. The Tigers have lost seven of their last 10 games and eight of their last 11 overall. Their offense has been inconsistent, scoring three runs or fewer in six of those 10 contests. Detroit’s bullpen has been a bright spot recently, with Brenan Hanifee and Tyler Holton combining for 1 1/3 scoreless innings in Sunday’s loss. Tampa Bay has been surging, winning seven of its last 10, though the club did suffer a lopsided 14-3 defeat to the Angels on Saturday. The Rays have been strong at home, and their lineup has provided ample support for McClanahan, who has received four or more runs of support in four of his last five starts. The three-game series continues Tuesday and Wednesday at George Steinbrenner Field. Following the series, Detroit returns home to host Seattle, while Tampa Bay travels to Miami.