The Chicago Cubs (18-11) look to bounce back from Tuesday night’s 7-1 loss when they take on the Detroit Tigers (12-16) again Wednesday. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET at Comerica Park. We analyze the Cubs-Tigers betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.
Cubs at Tigers: Projected starting pitchers
LHP Jon Lester vs. RHP Michael Fulmer
After allowing just two earned runs across 17 innings in his first three starts, Lester has been roughed up in his last two outings. He has surrendered 13 earned runs and six home runs in 9 2/3 innings, which has brought his ERA up to 5.06 on the year.
- Lester hasn’t found much success when he has pitched at Comerica Park in the past. In six starts there, he owns a 5.56 ERA and 25:14 K:BB in 34 innings.
- He recorded a 4.69 ERA in 15 road starts last season, while his 8.8% walk rate was nearly twice as high as his home mark. He has made just two road starts this year, allowing one earned run in 11 innings, with five strikeouts and three walks.
Fulmer has pitched a total of just 11 1/3 innings in his four starts this year. He has gradually built up his pitch counts, getting to 63 last time out, but a 9.53 ERA shows the results have been poor.
- After showing a lot of promise in 2016-17, Fulmer took a step back in 2018, when he recorded a 4.69 ERA. He then missed all of the 2019 season following March Tommy John surgery.
- He does have a history of success at Comerica Park. He boasts a 3.61 ERA in 38 career starts there, albeit with a 6.4 K/9. In 41 road starts, his ERA jumps to 4.28, but with a 7.4 K/9.
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Cubs at Tigers: Key injuries
Get the latest injury news here.
Cubs
- 3B Kris Bryant (wrist) out
- OF Steven Souza (hamstring) out
Tigers
- OF JaCoby Jones (calf) questionable
- 1B C.J. Cron (knee) out for season
- 3B Harold Castro (hamstring) out
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Cubs at Tigers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:55 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Cubs 8, Tigers 5
Moneyline (ML)
- Cubs -139
- Tigers +125
Both starting pitchers are pretty hard to trust, given that they have combined to allow 13 home runs in 38 innings (3.1 HR/9) so far. Fulmer against a good offense is an especially risky proposition right now, so look for the CUBS (-139) to emerge victoriously.
New to sports betting? A winning $13.90 bet on the Cubs would return a profit of $10.00.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
- Cubs -1.5 (+105)
- Tigers +1.5 (-129)
Both teams should put some runs on the board, increasing the odds of the winning margin being by multiple runs. Of the 16 games the Tigers have lost, just once has it been by a single run. Getting the CUBS -1.5 (+105) at plus odds here looks like a value.
Over/Under (O/U)
- Over 10 (-110)
- Under 10 (-110)
This game sets up to be pretty high-scoring. Both starters have been bad and the Chicago bullpen owns the fifth-highest ERA in the league. The Detroit relief corps is also below average, with the second-lowest K/9 in baseball.
A strong Cubs offense is sure to have a pretty good day, while the Tigers, who sit second in wRC+ vs lefties, should hold up their end of the bargain. Get in on the OVER 10 (-110) before it moves up.
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