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Detroit Tigers at Chicago Cubs odds, picks and predictions
By Kevin Erickson,
10 hours ago
The Detroit Tigers (61-64) and Chicago Cubs (61-64) open a 3-game series Tuesday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is set for 8:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Tigers vs. Cubsodds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Cubs lead 2-1
The Tigers surprised the New York Yankees over the weekend, winning 2 of 3 games. Despite the winning ways, Detroit has struggled to score runs lately, going for just 12 runs in the past 5 outings, or 2.4 runs per game (RPG).
Pitching has been amazing for the Tigers lately, allowing 4 or fewer runs in 12 straight outings, with the Under going 9-3 during the impressive span.
The Cubs were denied a 3-game interleague series sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend, losing 1-0 on Sunday after winning a pair of 1-run games Friday and Saturday. The Under is 4-1 in the past 5 outings for Chicago.
Detroit has managed an 18-19 record in interleague play, while going 30-32 on the road. Chicago is an impressive 23-14 in 37 tries against the AL, while the Cubbies are 34-28 in the Friendly Confines this season.
Tigers at Cubs projected starters
TBD vs. RHP Javier Assad
No Detroit pitcher announced at time of publishing
Assad (5-3, 3.19 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.37 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 107 1/3 IP.
Last start: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 K in 2-1 road loss vs. Cleveland Guardians last Tuesday
2024 home splits: 2-1, 2.38 ERA (53 IP, 14 ER), 1.40 WHIP, .226 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 4 HR, 30 BB, 41 K in 11 starts
Career vs. Tigers: 0-0, 3.38 ERA (5 1/3 IP, 2 ER), 1.31 WHIP, 6.8 K/9 in 1 start
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Moneyline (ML): Tigers +134 (bet $100 to win $134) | Cubs -158 (bet $100 to win $158)
Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Tigers +1.5 (-170) | Cubs -1.5 (+140)
Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Tigers at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 3, Tigers 2
The CUBS (-158) are a strong play behind Assad in this series opener.
The Tigers (+134) have played good baseball lately, but they’ve struggled to score runs. On the road, the Tigers have managed a 5-5 record across the past 10 outings.
Detroit isn’t a pushover, though. The pitching staff has been a bit crushed by injuries, but manager A.J. Hinch is doing it with mirrors. They’re expected to use an opener or minor-league call-up for Tuesday. The Tigers pitching staff has managed a 2.08 ERA, 3.07 FIP and 2.2 fWAR in the past 14 days, more than holding their own despite a bevy of ailments, so be careful.
While the Tigers +1.5 (-170) have been doing a good job pitching, it’s too expensive playing Detroit at this price.
The Tigers are 10-1 in the past 11 games on the run line as an underdog, with 7 outright wins during the span. If you’re a little more on the conservative side, back Detroit, but it’s tough to make that wager when it’s not even certain who the starting pitcher will be.
The Under has cashed in 5 straight games for the Tigers, with the offense averaging just 2.4 runs per game (RPG) in the span, while allowing only 1.5 RPG in the previous 6 outings.
For the Cubs, they’re 4-1 in the past 5 outings. In addition, Assad has allowed 3 or fewer runs in the past 6 starts, and he has not served up a homer in the past 3 outings across 12 2/3 IP. Go low, and feel confidently in doing so.
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