TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rays host the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday at George Steinbrenner Field with the first-place Rays looking to rebound from a series-opening loss and the last-place Tigers seeking a rare road win. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. under partly cloudy skies with a temperature of 84 degrees. The Rays (36-20) enter as the American League’s second-best team, while the Tigers (22-38) have the league’s third-worst record. Tampa Bay is a minus-1.5 favorite on the run line, with an over/under of 8.5. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-2 Rays victory. Detroit will send right-hander Jack Flaherty (0-7) to the mound, though the club also listed left-hander Steven Matz (4-2) as a probable pitcher. Flaherty has struggled to a 7.11 ERA across 12 starts, taking the loss in each outing. He last pitched May 26 against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing five runs over 5 1/3 innings in a 10-6 defeat. Matz, if he starts instead, has been more effective but carries a 5.40 ERA. Tampa Bay counters with left-hander Shane McClanahan, who has won four of his last five decisions. Over his past three starts, McClanahan has allowed one earned run across 15 1/3 innings, striking out 13. He threw five scoreless frames in a 3-0 win over Toronto on May 6. Tigers player to watch: Right-hander Keider Montero has posted a 1.98 ERA over his last two outings, including six innings of two-hit, shutout ball May 31 at Chicago (Interstat) — a game the Tigers lost 2-1. He has held opponents to a .192 batting average over his past 11 2/3 innings. Rays player to watch: McClanahan has not allowed an earned run in three of his past five starts and has struck out at least three batters in every outing this season. The Tigers took Monday’s series opener 8-2, snapping a four-game losing streak. Detroit lost 2-1 at Chicago on Sunday despite Montero’s strong start. Tampa Bay entered the series following a 5-2 home win over the Angels on Sunday. After Tuesday’s game, the teams meet again Wednesday. Detroit then returns home for six games against Seattle and Minnesota. Tampa Bay begins a three-game series at Miami on Friday.