Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers odds, picks and predictions

The Boston Red Sox (69-65) pay a visit to the Detroit Tigers (68-67) Friday to open a 3-game series. First pitch from Comerica Park is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Red Sox vs. Tigers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Tied 2-2

Detroit was shut out 3-0 by the Los Angeles Angels Thursday as a -176 home favorite. The loss snapped a 6-game win streak for the Tigers. Detroit had 8 hits vs. L.A., but never was able to cross home plate.

Boston was handed a 2-0 loss by the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday as a -124 home favorite. Thursday’s loss ended a short 2-game winning streak for the Red Sox, who went 2-5 during their 7-game homestand Aug. 23-29.

Red Sox at Tigers projected starters

RHP Tanner Houck vs. TBD

Houck (8-9, 3.23 ERA) makes his 27th start. He has a 1.18 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 through 158 2/3 innings.

• Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 2 K in 7-5 home setback vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday
• Red Sox are 0-7 in his starts since All-Star break
• 2024 road stats: 4-3, 3.09 ERA (64 IP, 22 ER), 1.19 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 in 11 starts
• Career vs. Detroit: 2-0, 2.08 ERA (13 IP, 3 ER), 0.85 WHIP, 7.6 K/9 in 3 appearances (2 starts), including 1-0 with 1.29 ERA (7 IP, 1 ER) in 1 start this season

The Tigers had not yet announced a starter, but RHP Casey Mize (2-6, 4.23 ERA) is expected to make his 17th start. He has a 1.45 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 6.6 K/9 through 78 2/3 innings.

• Has been sidelined for 2 months with strained left hamstring
• Last start: Win, 5 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K in 7-6 victory at Los Angeles Angels June 30
• 2024 home stats: 0-3, 3.56 ERA (43 IP, 17 ER), 1.28 WHIP, 6.5 K/9 in 8 starts
• Career vs. Red Sox: 0-1, 4.20 ERA (15 IP, 7 ER), 1.60 WHIP, 6.0 K/9 in 3 starts, including 0-0 with 4.50 ERA (4 IP, 2 ER) in 1 start this year

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Red Sox at Tigers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Red Sox -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Tigers +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Red Sox -1.5 (+135) | Tigers +1.5 (-165)
• Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: +105 | U: -125)

Red Sox at Tigers picks and predictions

Prediction

Red Sox 3, Tigers 2

BET RED SOX (-120).

Boston has won 2 straight road games, while Detroit lost its last home outing.

The Red Sox have also won 2 of the last 3 meetings between these teams, are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings overall, and are 3-0 in the last 3 in Detroit.

Be aware that Detroit is the hotter team and is 7-3 in its last 10 games, while the Red Sox are 4-6 across that same span.

BET TIGERS +1.5 (-165).

Not only is Detroit the hotter team entering this matchup, but it has been the much better team ATS this year. The Tigers are 72-63 ATS on the year, while the Red Sox are only 61-73 ATS this season.

Be aware that Boston has been much better ATS on the road (38-27) than it has been overall this year.

LEAN UNDER 9 (-125).

The Under has hit in each of Detroit’s last 3 games and each of Boston’s last 3. The Under also hit in the last meeting in Detroit.

This is a lean because the Under is 5-5 in the last 10 meetings, 5-5 in Boston’s last 10 games, and 5-4-1 in Detroit’s last 10. The O/U has been very even across the board.

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