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The Pittsburgh Pirates (25-29) and Detroit Tigers (26-27) play the 1st game of a doubleheader Wednesday at Comerica Park. First pitch is scheduled for 12:40 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Pirates vs. Tigers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
These teams were supposed to kick off a 2-game series Tuesday night, but the game was washed out, setting up a doubleheader on Wednesday.
The Pirates won the 1st meeting 7-4 on April 8 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh as the favorite (-126) with the Over (8) cashing. The Tigers won the finale 5-3 as slight underdogs (+108) on April 9 as the Under (8.5) hung on.
Pittsburgh is a respectable 5-4 in the past 9 games since May 16, hitting the Over in 4 of the previous 5 outings.
The Tigers polished off the Toronto Blue Jays 14-11 on Monday, and they ended up taking 2 of 3 in the holiday weekend series. The Over has cashed in 8 of the past 9 outings for Detroit.
The Pirates are 4-10 in interleague play this season, and 13-14 on the road. The Tigers are 8-6 against NL teams, while going 13-14 at home.
Pirates at Tigers Game 1 projected starters
RHP Jared Jones vs. LHP Tarik Skubal
Jones (3-4, 3.05 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 0.97 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 10.4 K/9 in 59 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 1 HR, 3 BB, 5 K in 9-5 home loss in 10 innings vs. San Francisco Giants last Wednesday
- 2024 road splits: 2-2, 3.86 ERA (28 IP, 12 ER), 0.93 WHIP, .221 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 5 HR, 3 BB, 35 K in 5 starts
Skubal (6-1, 2.25 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 0.85 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 10.8 K/9 in 60 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 6 K in 8-3 road loss vs. Kansas City Royals last Wednesday
- 2024 home splits: 3-0, 2.61 ERA (31 IP, 9 ER), 0.97 WHIP, .191 OBA, 8 BB, 33 K in 5 starts
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Pirates at Tigers Game 1 odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:04 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pirates +124 (bet $100 to win $124) | Tigers -146 (bet $146 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates +1.5 (-178) | Tigers -1.5 (+146)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -122 | U: +100)
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Pirates at Tigers Game 1 picks and predictions
Prediction
Tigers 4, Pirates 3
Moneyline
The TIGERS (-146) are a solid play in the opener of this potential pitcher’s duel against the visiting Pirates (+124).
Jones and Skubal each have tremendous splits, and runs should be at a premium. Skubal hasn’t allowed much at home, however, and the Pirates aren’t likely to change that.
Run line/Against the spread
The Pirates +1.5 (-178) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return, and that’s a little too much risk for not enough reward, even in a game which is expected to be rather close.
PASS, and just look to the moneyline instead.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (-122) is worth a look, even with 2 tremendous pitchers squaring off against each other. This number is rather low, and these 2 have surprisingly had plenty of Over results.
The total has gone high in 8 of the past 9 games for the Tigers. It’s rather shocking that the Over is 8-1 in Skubal’s past 9 starts, too, but many of the times it’s been tremendous offensive support.
The Over has cashed in 3 straight starts for Jones, too. We might not get a slugfest, but this number is rather low given the recent total results for both of these hurlers.
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