Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers Live Streaming

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7:05 pm EDT Tue Aug 10, 2010

Jeremy Hellickson’s outstanding season in the minors and sharp major league debut have the Tampa Bay Rays feeling even better about his future prospects of becoming a staple in their rotation. They could also use his help now. Hellickson will start in place of injured teammate Wade Davis as Tampa Bay tries to beat the fast-fading Detroit Tigers for the sixth consecutive time Tuesday night. The Rays had lost a season-high five straight before beginning their series in Detroit on Monday night, but their 6-3 victory pulled the club within 1 1/2 games of AL East-leading New York. Tampa Bay also swept a four-game home series with the Tigers from July 26-29, part of Detroit’s dismal start to the second half. The Tigers’ 6-20 record since the All-Star break is the worst in the majors, dropping them nine games behind Chicago and Minnesota in the AL Central.

Detroit is batting .239 and averaging 3.2 runs in that stretch, but the Rays’ primary concern is with their banged-up rotation after shoulder problems forced both Davis and Jeff Niemann to the disabled list Monday. Hellickson has a chance to ease those worries. The 23-year-old right-hander is regarded as one of baseball’s top pitching prospects, a reputation bolstered by his 12-3 record and 2.45 ERA in 21 starts for Triple-A Durham in 2010. The right-hander posted similar results in his debut with Tampa Bay, holding the Twins to two runs and three hits in seven innings of a 4-2 win Aug. 2. Hellickson was immediately sent back to the minors but didn’t make another start for Durham because the injuries necessitated his return. He said he’s not nearly as nervous as he was last week.