The Detroit Tigers (13-17) and St. Louis Cardinals (10-22) open up a 3-game set at Busch Stadium Friday. First pitch is at 8:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Tigers vs. Cardinals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting since 2021 when the Tigers won 3-1
The Tigers are roaring, coming off a 3-game sweep of the New York Mets. They’re 6-4 over the last 10 games. They’re doing it without a lot of offense as they’re 29th in runs/9 (3.48), 28th in BA (.225), last in OPS (.643) and strike out the 4th-most in MLB (9.70). Detroit is 7-1 in interleague play this season.
The Cardinals are in disarray, losers of 9 of their last 10, and with no clear correction in sight. Their pitchers simply can’t miss bats. The Cards’ starters have given up the most hits in baseball and have the 23rd ERA at 5.48. Offensively, they are 10th in BA (.257) and 13th in OPS (.738), but they’re scoring the 20th runs/9 (4.34) in baseball.
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Tigers at Cardinals projected starters
LHP Matthew Boyd vs. LHP Jordan Montgomery
Boyd (1-2, 5.47 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 1.46 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9 and 8.0 K/9 in 24 2/3 IP.
- Last start Saturday against Baltimore Orioles: 5 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 3 K
- 1 great start vs. St. Louis in 2018: 7 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 11 K
Montgomery (2-4, 3.34 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 1.23 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 in 35 IP.
- Last start Saturday against Los Angeles Dodgers: 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 7 K
- 3 career GS vs. Detroit: 1-1, 2.95 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 14 K in 18 1/3 IP
Tigers at Cardinals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:23 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Tigers +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Cardinals -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Tigers +1.5 (-105) | Cardinals -1.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Tigers at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 4, Tigers 3
Moneyline
The Cards are big favorites at home with their best starter on the hill. Montgomery has lost 4 starts in a row, but outside of a 7-run shelling by Arizona, he’s allowed 3 ER in 19 IP. They should win, but there is no chance I’m paying -225 on this team right now. The Tigers whiff a lot, and Montgomery has been a better K/9 pitcher since coming over from the Yankees. Take the CARDINALS ML + MONTGOMERY 5K (+105).
Run line/Against the spread
The Tigers are 17-13 on the RL and 8-7 on the road. Whereas St. Louis is 12-20 on the RL and 5-11 at home. The Tigers are 4-1 in the last 5 of the series, so I like them to keep it within a run with the added possibility of St. Louis’ blowing it.
Take the TIGERS +1.5 (-105).
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Over/Under
It’s a fair, 70-degree day in The Lou with a 14-mph gust blowing toward the left-field foul pole. Detroit is 5-4-1 O/U over the last 10, and St. Louis is 4-6. The Under is 3-0-2 in the last 5 interleague road games for Detroit and 7-0-1 in the last 8 road games overall. The Under is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings between the teams.
LEAN UNDER 8 (-105).
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