Kevin Kiermaier in Tampa Bay's lineup Thursday

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is in the starting lineup for Thursday's series opener against left-hander Tyler Alexander and the Detroit Tigers.

What It Means:

Kiermaier made only one start in the previous four games. He is replacing Brett Phillips in center field and hitting ninth Thursday night. Austin Meadows is out of the lineup again.

numberFire’s models project Kiermaier for 8.8 FanDuel points and he has a $2,400 salary on Thursday’s slate. Per our MLB Heat Map, the Rays have an implied total of 4.9 runs. Alexander is registering a 19.9 strikeout percentage and a 5.9 walk percentage this season, with a 4.69 xERA and a .328 xwOBA.