The Mariners and Tigers play the first game of their three-game series on Friday, June 5.
Seattle is a -131 moneyline favorite, while Detroit is +109 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at over/under eight runs.
Let’s get into a pick and prediction for this Mariners vs. Tigers game.
Mariners vs. Tigers prediction, preview
Are the Tigers back? They swept the Rays on the road and enter this series on a three-game win streak. Maybe all it takes is some Tarik Skubal trade rumors to wake a franchise up. The team is 25-38, which is one of the worst records in the majors, but it reached the postseason last year. A June turnaround wouldn’t be ridiculous, though it would be improbable.
This series against the Mariners will be tough, as Seattle leads the AL West and has won eight of its last nine. That’s a turnaround the Tigers are hoping for. The series opener features two quality starters in Bryan Woo and Framber Valdez. Woo has been much better, though even his May campaign was inconsistent.
The 26-year-old right-hander is one of Seattle’s best starters, and a 3.44 ERA this year backs up that claim. Woo pitches deep into games, limiting walks while striking out a bunch. His last start was marvelous: seven shutout innings with two hits and nine strikeouts against the Diamondbacks. The start prior? Four earned runs, six hits, two walks and four strikeouts in 4.2 frames against the Royals. Two of his bad starts in May were against Kansas City, so perhaps that lineup was the only problem.
Valdez hasn’t been consistent whatsoever this season, but he does have a few shining moments. The lefty has a 4.39 ERA in his first season with Detroit and particularly struggled in May. He had a 5.93 ERA across 27.1 innings and five starts during the month. It wasn’t all bad, but that’s what makes Valdez difficult to predict. He’s pitched six innings of one-run ball while allowing just two hits, but he’s also allowed seven earned across three frames. His career stats indicate that he’ll eventually recover into a quality starter, but is that going to happen against the Mariners?
Mariners vs. Tigers Pick, Best Bet
I love a comeback story, so it would be great to see the Tigers salvage something from this miserable campaign. The three-game win streak is a start, but they meet an even hotter Mariners team with Woo on the mound.
Few teams would strive in this position, even the home team. Seattle will win and pause Detroit’s comeback story—at least for now.
