The San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers have been two of the biggest surprises of the young season, and that’s saying a lot in a year full of surprises.
Detroit boasts the best record in the American League and has built a sizable lead in the AL Central. Their all-around excellence has been something to behold; the Tigers are one of two teams that are top ten in runs scored and runs allowed. Powered by defending Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, this pitching staff is cooking with gas, and their lineup is solid 1 through 9 despite the lack of a true superstar.
The Giants always seem to find a way to win. Their pitching has been quite good, led by Logan Webb, as per usual. The offense is also potent and has a knack for the clutch hit. In preseason, everyone rightfully had the Dodgers and Padres as the top squads, but San Francisco remains within three games of both clubs. If the winning continues, they’re going to keep proving doubters wrong.
The Tigers enter at -115 on the moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The run total is set at eight. Let’s take a look at the best bets for Wednesday’s game.
Pick and Prediction
Detroit Tigers Moneyline (-115)
The basis for this is simple: the Giants’ offense dried up in the latter half of May. They haven’t scored more than four runs since May 16th against the Athletics. San Francisco’s bats have generated only 21 runs across their past 10 games. It’s a testament to their pitching that they’re 5-5 in those games, but eight of those contests came against the Athletics, Royals, and Nationals. Not exactly the cream of the crop. These Tigers are a different animal, and it’s why they are poised to sweep this three-game home series.
On top of that, the pitching matchup favors Detroit. Landen Roupp’s -4 pitching run value is a 19th percentile mark in the league. Facing a Detroit offense that just racked up seven hits and three runs off Giants ace Logan Webb doesn’t bode well. Jackson Jobe hasn’t been much better, but breaking ball pitchers have given San Francisco fits lately. A struggling pitcher against a quality offense sounds much worse than an average pitcher vs. a scuffling offense.
Over 8 Total Runs (-105)
This Giants offense can’t be held down forever. There’s too much quality up and down the lineup, and despite the one-run performance on Tuesday, they put up quality at-bats against Jack Flaherty and company. A strong left field wind stopped a pair of well-struck fly balls from turning into home runs.
On top of that, the Tigers have been held down this series with three runs in each game. Roupp tends to give up the big inning. He should give up a crooked number or two in this matinee game against a Detroit lineup that knows how to keep the line moving and apply pressure.
