Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros Prediction and Odds | AL Wild Card Game 1

The Houston Astros (88-73 regular season) will host the Detroit Tigers (86-76 regular season) in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card on Tuesday afternoon. The Astros won the American League West division for the fourth straight year, beating out the Seattle Mariners, while the Tigers clinched the third and final Wild Card spot by one game. This will also be Detroit’s first playoff appearance since 2014.

Will the Tigers open their playoff run with an upset win, or will Houston take care of business at home?

Photo byJose MoralesonUnsplash

Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros Match Details

• Fixture: Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros
• Date and Time: Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 at 2:30 PM ET
• Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas

Key Stats

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers will open their postseason with Tarik Skubal on the mound. The left-hander finished the year with a record of 18-4, which was tied for the best record amongst all pitchers. He also had the second-best ERA in the league at 2.39 and was first in the league with 228 strikeouts.

Skubal did his best work at home in Detroit, but on the road, he had a record of 8-3, with an ERA of 2.86. Despite this, Skubal struggled against the Astros, posting a record of 1-1 against them in two starts with an ERA of 4.26.

Left Fielder Riley Greene was a standout player for Detroit this season, leading the team in batting average (.262), home runs (24), and RBIs (74). As a team, Detroit averaged 4.21 runs per game this season and allowed 3.96 runs per game.

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros will counter with Framber Valdez to open their postseason. He ended the regular season with a record of 15-7, tied for the seventh-best record, and had an ERA of 2.91, sixth-best in the league. Valdez was at his best when playing at home, posting a record of 9-2 with an ERA of 2.53 across 15 starts. In one start against the Tigers, Valdez was 1-0 and had an ERA of 2.57.

Left Fielder Yordan Valdez was Houston’s best player this season, leading the team in batting average (.308), home runs (35), and RBIs (86). Alverez is dealing with an injury at the moment but could be ready for this series against the Tigers. The Astros averaged 4.57 runs per game this season and allowed 4.01 runs per game.

Prediction

As good as the Tigers have been this season, this may be a tough spot for them. The Astros have consistently been in the playoffs, while the pressure could be too much for Detroit. Skubal will certainly give the Tigers a chance here, but his struggles against the Astros this season, albeit a small sample size, cannot be ignored. Valdez on the other hand, has been excellent this season, especially at home, therefore backing the Astros to win Game 1 will be our best bet.

Final Pick

Houston Astros ML (-142)

For More Great Content

Craving top-tier content that covers it all? From electrifying sports highlights and insider entertainment news to expert gaming tips to sharp betting advice, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our curated articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the lowdown on gaming strategies that could level up your play. Plus, our betting advice will sharpen your edge and boost your chances of winning big. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, our content is your go-to source for all things exciting and relevant. Don’t miss out – explore now and power up your knowledge! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports, to stay informed.

Article originally written by Matthew Lowrimore