The Oakland Athletics and the Detroit Tigers meet Saturday in MLB action from Comerica Park. Here’s an A’s vs Tigers prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game. We will examine:
- The Oakland A’s recent form and player performance
- The Detroit Tigers recent form and player performance
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Oakland A’s
- Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Detroit Tigers
- Recent betting trends in games played between the Athletics and Tigers
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Athletics vs Tigers game
Oakland A’s Betting Preview
The Athletics took on the Boston Red Sox in their last series and things didn’t go very well. Oakland was swept in that one with losses 9-0, 5-4 and 1-0. On Friday versus Detroit, the A’s took a 5-4 loss. Oakland got homers from Brent Rooker (two RBI) and Abraham Toro (solo) along the way. Starter JP Sears lasted 5.2 frames with four earned runs.
In their starting pitcher slot for the Saturday game, the A’s will send out Paul Blackburn. In his lone start this year Blackburn posted a no-decision versus the Guardians with 7.0 innings and zero earned. In his career Blackburn has a 17-24 record with a 4.80 ERA in 73 games (69 starts).
Detroit Tigers Betting Preview
Over on the Tigers’ side, they did well against the New York Mets this week with three wins in four games. (Detroit lost 2-1 on Thursday.) In the Friday matchup the Tigers held the A’s to just five team hits. Detroit’s Matt Vierling and Mark Canha each had a solo home run. Starter Tarik Skubal posted 6.1 innings with all four earned runs.
It’ll be Kenta Maeda in the starting pitcher role for the Tigers on Saturday. Maeda didn’t start out well versus the White Sox, posting six earned in 3.1 innings. In his career, Maeda is 65-49 with a 3.96 ERA in 191 games (156 starts). He has 953 Ks in 869.2 innings total.
Detroit Tigers Team Facts
- The Tigers have won each of their last 11 day games against American League opponents following a win.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Tigers’ last seven games.
- The Tigers have trailed after 5 innings in seven of their last 10 games as home favorites against AL West opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Tigers’ last seven day games against AL West opponents.
Oakland Athletics Team Facts
- The Athletics have lost each of their last nine Saturday day games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Athletics have covered the run line in each of their last six road games against the Tigers following a loss.
- The Athletics have led after 3 innings in each of their last three Saturday games as underdogs.
- The Athletics have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last nine Saturday day games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Athletics have led after 7 innings in each of their last five Saturday games against the Tigers.
A’s vs Tigers Prediction
I’m going to lean toward the Athletics here. Oakland should be set up well with Blackburn on the mound. He did well in his first start on March 31, posting 7.0 clean frames, three hits, one walk and three strikeouts. As for Maeda, he’ll need a good bounce-back effort here but should take a step forward.
On Friday the A’s were competitive after the fifth inning, as they outscored Detroit 4-2 from there. The bullpen was pretty solid (outside of Lucas Erceg) but most of the offense came up empty. Oakland needs to get off to a good start on Saturday but should have a reasonable chance.