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The Houston Astros (31-38) welcome the Detroit Tigers (33-35) to Minute Maid Park Friday to open a 3-game series. First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Tigers vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Astros lead 2-1
The Astros lost 5-3 to the San Francisco Giants Wednesday. They lost 2 of 3 to close that series yet are 3-3 straight up over their last 6 games. Houston is 3-2 over its last 5 home games and 17-18 at home on the season. It has struggled to get much going offensively as of late, scoring just 9 runs in its last 3 games.
The Tigers beat the Washington Nationals 7-2 at home Thursday, avoiding a sweep after losing the first 2 games of the series. Detroit has lost 5 of its last 7 yet has won 3 of its last 4 on the road and is still 17-16 away from home. Detroit’s offense has been more consistent as of late, scoring at least 4 in 5 straight games.
Tigers at Astros projected starters
LHP Tarik Skubal vs. RHP Hunter Brown
Skubal (8-1, 1.92 ERA) makes his 14th start. He has a 0.89 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 10.8 K/9 in 79 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 10 K in 10-2 home victory over Milwaukee Brewers Sunday
- 2024 road splits: 3-1, 1.80 ERA (35 IP, 7 ER), 0.86 WHIP, 3 HR, 11.6 K/9 in 6 starts
- 2024 vs. Astros: 1-0, 2.84 ERA (6 1/3 IP, 2 ER), 7 H, 2 BB, 7 K in 1 start, an 8-2 home win May 11
- Career vs. Astros: 1-0, 2.33 ERA (19 1/3 IP, 5 ER), 0.98 WHIP, 11.6 K/9 in 3 starts
Brown (2-5, 5.58 ERA) makes his 13th start. The Detroit native has a 1.52 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9 in 61 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 9 K in 9-0 home victory against Los Angeles Angels Saturday
- 2024 home splits: 1-2, 4.66 ERA (36 2/3 IP, 19 ER), 1.31 WHIP, 8 HR, 8.6 K/9 in 7 starts
- 2024 vs. Tigers: 0-0, 1.80 ERA (5 IP, 1 ER), 5 H, 0 BB, 7 K in 1 relief appearance of May 11 road loss
- Career vs. Tigers: 2-0, 3.92 ERA (20 2/3 IP, 9 ER), 1.31 WHIP, 11.8 K/9 in 3 starts and 1 relief appearance
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Tigers at Astros odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:02 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Tigers -104 (bet $104 to win $100) | Astros -112 (bet $112 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Tigers -1.5 (+150) | Astros +1.5 (-182)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Tigers at Astros picks and predictions
Prediction
Tigers 5, Astros 3
Moneyline
BET TIGERS (-104).
The Tigers are above .500 on the road, which has been an impressive feat, and they have been even better with Skubal, who is pitching like one of the best in MLB, on the mound.
Detroit is 10-3 in his appearances this season, and he has allowed more than 2 earned runs just twice. The Astros have lost 3 of Brown’s last 4 starts and dropped 4 of their last 7 at home.
Considering those trends, back TIGERS (-104).
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
There’s just no value here either way. The Tigers are too risky as run-line favorites on the road, while the Astros are too expensive as run-line underdogs. Avoid this play.
Over/Under
BET OVER 7 (-115).
The Tigers have had a strong offense and been consistent as of late. They have gone Over in 6 of their last 7 games, scoring at least 4 in 5 straight. They are 39-26-3 O/U on the season and have gone Over in 6 of Skubal’s last 7 starts.
The Astros have allowed at least 4 runs in 3 of their last 4. That said, take OVER 7 (-115).
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