The struggling Detroit Tigers are trying to avoid dropping their fifth in a row as they play host to the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park. The game gets underway 7:10 p.m. ET and NBC Sports – California is in line to showcase this AL matchup.
Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers Odds
Vegas has listed Detroit (+145) as the underdog to Oakland (-155). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -120 for over nine runs and +100 for under nine. You can also bet on the game’s spread with the current runline odds sitting at Athletics -1.5 runs (-110) and Tigers +1.5 runs (-110).
The Tigers are 18-24 straight up (SU) and 19-22 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 0.6 units for moneyline bettors while earning 5.3 units ATS. Detroit has covered the spread just twice in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Athletics are 20-25 SU and have gone 17-27 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 9.3 units for moneyline bettors in the season’s early going and 11.8 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in five of those seven.
Detroit games have an over/under record of 18-23 so far in 2019. The Athletics have an over/under record of 22-20-2.
The right-handed Frankie Montas is getting the nod for the visiting Athletics. Montas (4-2, 2.78 ERA) has recorded 42 strikeouts in 45.1 innings so far. He has yet to face the Tigers this year and only made one start against them in 2018 (0-0, 18.00 ERA over three innings).
The Tigers are turning to lefty Daniel Norris (2-1, 3.63 ERA), who’s got 26 strikeouts and 10 walks, along with a WHIP of 1.41. Norris did not record a start against the Athletics in 2018.
As a unit, Detroit’s pitching staff has yielded 5.3 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starters have an ERA of 4.42, a WHIP of 1.32 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.3. The bullpen has a 5.84 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 8.0 K/9.
Detroit’s offense has put up 3.4 runs per contest, including 3.2 per game over its last 10 games and 2.8 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .185/.269/.344 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that span.
The Tigers’ hitters have been led by Miguel Cabrera and Nicholas Castellanos. Cabrera is slashing .285/.355/.344 with 43 hits, 15 RBIs and 12 runs scored, while Castellanos is batting .263 with three homers, 12 RBIs and 25 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.36 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 6.99 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.17, along with a WHIP of 1.26.
The Athletics offense has slashed .240/.320/.408 on its way to 4.7 runs scored per game this year, including 4.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Oakland’s hitters have been paced by shortstop Marcus Semien and right fielder Stephen Piscotty, who have combined to drive in 40 runs. Semien is hitting .271/.363/.407 with five home runs, 21 RBIs and 26 runs scored. Piscotty (.253/.332/.397) is up to five homers, 19 RBIs and 21 runs scored.
The Athletics have gained 3.2 units and are 7-6 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in seven of those games, compared to six that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Tigers have netted 0.1 units and are 15-19 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 12 of those games, compared to 22 that went under the total.
Athletics at Tigers Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has cashed in three of Detroit’s last seven games.
- The Athletics have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games, including 11 over their last five.
- The Athletics have an OPS of .728 this season, including an OPS of .825 against left-handed pitchers. The Tigers’ OPS stands at .666 overall and .764 against southpaws.
- Detroit has posted 16.0 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 14.4 over its last five.
- The Tigers have dropped five of their last six games SU.
