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The Detroit Tigers are set to face the Oakland Athletics this afternoon. With that said, it’s a good time to check out our MLB odds series, which includes our Tigers-Athletics prediction and pick we have laid out below.
Detroit is currently in fourth place in the AL Central, sitting at 37-55 including an abysmal 2-8 stretch in their last 10 games. What was supposed to be the beginning of a contention window instead has become another lost season in a seemingly endless rebuilding phase. Top prospect Spencer Torkelson has struggled at the major league level, prompting a demotion to Triple-A, while the vaunted pitching has yet to live up to their billing.
Oakland is the equivalent to a baseball wasteland. A low payroll coupled with a dilapidated stadium makes for one of the worst situations in the league. Oakland ended the first half a miserable 32-61, cementing their last place standing in the AL West. There seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Almost nothing outside of their top three starting pitchers has gone right, and this season looks like the beginning of a brutal rebuild.
Here are the Tigers-Athletics MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Tigers-Athletics Odds (Game 2)
Detroit Tigers: +1.5 (-178)
Oakland Athletics: -1.5 (+146)
Over: 7 (-106)
Under: 7 (-114)
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Why The Tigers Could Cover The Spread
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Detroit has failed to live up to expectations this season. Javier Baez, a big-money offseason addition, has managed a .626 OPS, something expected of a punchless player rather than Baez who slugged 31 home runs last season. The good news is, based on his long track record, Baez can be counted on to bounce back. Riley Greene has impressed, slashing .252/.344/.364 in his young career.
Detroit's bullpen, namely Alex Lange (2.29 ERA), Andrew Chafin (2.22 ERA), and Michael Fulmer (2.38 ERA) has been great this season. Garrett Hill, the game two starter, will not be asked to go too deep into the game, instead relying on the strength of their bullpen. Lastly, don't forget about Gregory Soto, who has shut down opponents in the ninth inning, saving 18 games in 20 opportunities.
Detroit has managed just 53 home runs this season, and no player has reached double-digit totals just yet. Comerica Park is not the most hitter-friendly, but the lack of power for this team is downright concerning.
Why The Athletics Could Cover The Spread
Things look less rosy for Oakland, a team seemingly prepared to tear down a perennial playoff contender. Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, and Chris Bassitt all play for other teams, while Sean Murphy and Frankie Montas seem to be on borrowed time in Oakland. On the bright side, Frankie Montas is set to return, last pitching on July 3, in what may well be an audition for contending teams. Montas has been great this season, with a 3.26 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 96.2 innings. Montas has neutralized lineups better than Detroit's all season and should have no issue doing so in this matchup. However, Oakland's lineup is starved for any real impact, ranking in front of only Detroit with 70 home runs on the season. Thankfully, not many runs will be required in this one.
While Montas is likely going to be on a lower pitch count, his potential to dominate is too strong to ignore in this one. Detroit has no real threats left in their lineup, and Montas has thrived thus far.
Final Tigers-Athletics Prediction & Pick
Two hapless offenses will square off in this one, with the advantage likely going to the better pitcher. Luckily for Oakland, Montas greatly outpaces Garrett Hill. Look for Oakland to eke out a victory.
Final Tigers-Athletics Prediction & Pick: Oakland -1.5 (+146), under 7 (-114)
