The Phillies and Tigers are facing off in Philadelphia on Friday. Below, I break down my prediction and pick for the game.
Ranger Suárez will be starting for the Phillies, and Jack Flaherty will take the mound for the Tigers.
Phillies vs. Tigers prediction, preview
Ranger Suárez is in the midst of a standout season for the Phillies, posting an impressive 8-4 record with a 2.59 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP across 93.2 innings. He’s allowed just 27 earned runs all year — and nearly half of those (13) came in just two outings.
Excluding those starts, Suárez has been dominant, surrendering only 14 earned runs over his other 13 appearances. Interestingly, he’s been significantly more effective on the road, where he boasts a stellar 1.48 ERA, compared to a 4.15 ERA at home in Citizens Bank Park.
Jack Flaherty, once regarded as one of MLB’s most promising young arms, has struggled to meet the lofty expectations set early in his career. This season with the Tigers, he’s posted a 6-10 record alongside a 4.51 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP over 109.2 innings — numbers that reflect his continued inconsistency.
Like Suárez, Flaherty has seen a stark contrast in performance based on location, but in the opposite direction: he’s been significantly less effective on the road, where he owns a rough 6.28 ERA away from the pitcher-friendly confines of Comerica Park.
Phillies vs. Tigers pick, best bet
Both the Phillies and Tigers bring explosive offenses into this matchup, with each club ranking inside the top 10 in MLB in runs scored — the Tigers at fifth and the Phillies at ninth. Detroit enters on a high note after an impressive sweep of the Diamondbacks, while Philadelphia will be looking to bounce back following a disappointing series loss to the last-place White Sox. With both lineups capable of putting up crooked numbers, this game could quickly turn into a high-scoring affair.
Given the stark home/road splits for both pitchers and the game taking place in the hitter-friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park rather than spacious Comerica, this sets up as a strong spot for both offenses to shine. I like the over here, which is currently available at -108 on DraftKings Sportsbook.