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The Detroit Tigers (61-64) and Chicago Cubs (61-64) open a 3-game series Tuesday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is set for 8:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Tigers vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Cubs lead 2-1
The Tigers surprised the New York Yankees over the weekend, winning 2 of 3 games. Despite the winning ways, Detroit has struggled to score runs lately, going for just 12 runs in the past 5 outings, or 2.4 runs per game (RPG).
Pitching has been amazing for the Tigers lately, allowing 4 or fewer runs in 12 straight outings, with the Under going 9-3 during the impressive span.
The Cubs were denied a 3-game interleague series sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend, losing 1-0 on Sunday after winning a pair of 1-run games Friday and Saturday. The Under is 4-1 in the past 5 outings for Chicago.
Detroit has managed an 18-19 record in interleague play, while going 30-32 on the road. Chicago is an impressive 23-14 in 37 tries against the AL, while the Cubbies are 34-28 in the Friendly Confines this season.
Tigers at Cubs projected starters
TBD vs. RHP Javier Assad
No Detroit pitcher announced at time of publishing
Assad (5-3, 3.19 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.37 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 107 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 K in 2-1 road loss vs. Cleveland Guardians last Tuesday
- 2024 home splits: 2-1, 2.38 ERA (53 IP, 14 ER), 1.40 WHIP, .226 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 4 HR, 30 BB, 41 K in 11 starts
- Career vs. Tigers: 0-0, 3.38 ERA (5 1/3 IP, 2 ER), 1.31 WHIP, 6.8 K/9 in 1 start
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Tigers at Cubs odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:46 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Tigers +134 (bet $100 to win $134) | Cubs -158 (bet $100 to win $158)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Tigers +1.5 (-170) | Cubs -1.5 (+140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Tigers at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 3, Tigers 2
Moneyline
The CUBS (-158) are a strong play behind Assad in this series opener.
The Tigers (+134) have played good baseball lately, but they’ve struggled to score runs. On the road, the Tigers have managed a 5-5 record across the past 10 outings.
Detroit isn’t a pushover, though. The pitching staff has been a bit crushed by injuries, but manager A.J. Hinch is doing it with mirrors. They’re expected to use an opener or minor-league call-up for Tuesday. The Tigers pitching staff has managed a 2.08 ERA, 3.07 FIP and 2.2 fWAR in the past 14 days, more than holding their own despite a bevy of ailments, so be careful.
Run line/Against the spread
While the Tigers +1.5 (-170) have been doing a good job pitching, it’s too expensive playing Detroit at this price.
The Tigers are 10-1 in the past 11 games on the run line as an underdog, with 7 outright wins during the span. If you’re a little more on the conservative side, back Detroit, but it’s tough to make that wager when it’s not even certain who the starting pitcher will be.
PASS.
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Over/Under
UNDER 7.5 (-110) is the best play on the board.
The Under has cashed in 5 straight games for the Tigers, with the offense averaging just 2.4 runs per game (RPG) in the span, while allowing only 1.5 RPG in the previous 6 outings.
For the Cubs, they’re 4-1 in the past 5 outings. In addition, Assad has allowed 3 or fewer runs in the past 6 starts, and he has not served up a homer in the past 3 outings across 12 2/3 IP. Go low, and feel confidently in doing so.
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