Oakland Athletics (73-59) vs. Detroit Tigers (62-71)
September 2, 2021 1:10 pm EDT
The Line: Detroit Tigers +170 / Oakland Athletics -238; Over/Under: -8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Oakland Athletics and the Detroit Tigers meet Thursday in MLB action from Comerica Park. This will be the final installment in a three-game series. The A’s took a victory in the Tuesday opener, then in game two the Tigers evened it up with a two-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Oakland had their offense working in the Tuesday opener, notching 12 hits in a 9-3 victory. In the Wednesday game two, the A’s had 10 team hits in an 8-6 defeat. Starter James Kaprielian put up 4.0 innings with four earned, four hits and three walks.
For the starter gig in the Thursday game, the A’s will send out Sean Manaea. In his 142.2 innings this year Manaea has 142 hits, 64 runs (63 earned), 22 homers allowed, 36 walks, 156 Ks and a 3.97 ERA.
Over on the Tigers’ side, they had an early lead in the Tuesday game but couldn’t keep up despite 10 team hits. On Wednesday, Detroit came back from a 6-3 deficit to post the win. Starting pitcher Wily Peralta managed 4.0 frames with two earned on one walk and four hits.
Starting pitcher for the Thursday matchup will be the Tigers’ Matt Manning. Over 59.1 innings this year Manning has 72 hits, 40 runs (36 earned), seven homers allowed, 18 walks, 34 Ks and a 5.46 ERA.
The A’s are 5-1 in their last six Thursday games and 74-24 in their last 98 versus the AL Central. Oakland is 27-11 in their last 38 with a total of 9.0-10.5 and the under is 11-5 in their last 16 in game three of a series.
Meanwhile, the Tigers are 8-3 in their last 11 home games versus a lefty starter and 17-37 in their last 54 Thursday games. Detroit is 26-59 in their last 85 versus the AL West and 64-148 in their last 212 versus a team with a winning record.
PICK: I’m going to try the Tigers in this one. Manning has been okay over his last three starts, posting six earned on 19 hits and five walks over a span of 16.2 innings. As for Manaea, he’s got 14 earned on 18 hits and four walks over his last 14.0 innings in three starts. Manaea has also given up five or more earned runs in three of his last five games. If Manning can put up a quality start and get a little offensive support, I think Detroit will be in good shape here.
