Detroit @ Tampa Bay preview

Detroit at Tampa Bay

Last Meeting ( Apr 12, 2012 ) Tampa Bay 2, Detroit 7

After getting outslugged in their last series, the Detroit Tigers will look to get the upper hand when they open a four-game series against the host Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. The Tigers matched a season high with 17 hits on Wednesday, but fell for the second time in three outings when they dropped a 13-9 decision to red-hot Texas. Tampa Bay was done in by the heat - as well as a timely homer by Billy Butler - as Kansas City capped a surprising three-game sweep with a 5-4 victory on Wednesday.

Tampa Bay better get accustomed to being at home - it will play 17 of its next 21 games in the Sunshine State. The Rays may also get a boost as designated hitter Luke Scott is "pretty certain" to be activated from the disabled list on Thursday, according to manager Joe Maddon. Scott has been sidelined for the last 2 1/2 weeks with back stiffness.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSD (Detroit), SUN (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Max Scherzer (6-5, 5.12 ERA) vs. Rays RH James Shields (7-4, 3.99)

Pitching just two days after his brother's death, Scherzer actually fared well in his outing against Pittsburgh on Saturday. The 27-year-old allowed just three runs on as many hits in six innings, but suffered the loss. Scherzer has dropped both career decisions versus Tampa Bay.

Shields allowed five runs on seven hits in five innings but walked away with a no-decision against Philadelphia on Saturday. The 30-year-old has won all five career decisions versus Detroit - including an eight-inning outing on April 11. He allowed just two hits and scattered six hits in the 4-2 win.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit's Brennan Boesch dropped from sixth to eighth in the batting order as he deals with a prolonged slump. Boesch, who was 3-for-33 in his previous 10 games, went 1-for-5 with an RBI single on Wednesday.

2. Tampa Bay right-hander Kyle Farnsworth pitched well in his second rehabilitation outing for Triple-A Durham. He is expected to be activated this weekend.

3. Detroit's Alex Avila isn't letting patellar tendinitis slow him down. Avila went 3-for-4 with an RBI on Wednesday. He is just 3-for-11 in his career versus Shields.