The Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics clash Thursday in game 1 of an MLB series at Oakland Coliseum. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
Detroit Tigers Betting Preview
The Tigers look for a win after winning 5 of their last 7 games. The Tigers are 9.5 games back in the AL Central. The Tigers pitching staff is 19th in ERA (4.36), 9th in WHIP (1.26) and 27th in quality starts (40). The Tigers' offense is 29th in runs per game (4.01), 28th in batting average (.235) and 25th in homers (155). Spencer Torkelson leads the Tigers with 131 hits and 85 RBI, while Matt Vierling and Kerry Carpenter have combined for 225 hits and 101 RBI. Tarik Skubal gets the ball, and he is 6-3 with a 3.25 ERA and 84 strikeouts this season. Skubal is 2-2 with a 2.42 ERA and 31 strikeouts in his career against the Athletics.
Oakland Athletics Betting Preview
The Athletics look to snap a 7-game losing streak. The Athletics have the worst record in baseball at 46-106. The Athletics pitching staff is 29th in ERA (5.58), 29th in WHIP (1.53) and 30th in quality starts (28). The Athletics offense is 30th in runs per game (3.62), 30th in batting average (.224) and 22nd in homers (162). Esteury Ruiz leads the Athletics with 106 hits and 42 RBI, while Brent Rooker and Ryan Noda have combined for 189 hits and 114 RBI. Luis Medina gets the ball, and he is 3-9 with a 5.56 ERA and 97 strikeouts this season. This will be Medina’s first career game against the Tigers.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Oakland Athletics rank 30th in the league for runs scored this season (550).
- The Oakland Athletics rank 30th in the league for hits this season (1117).
- The Detroit Tigers rank 29th in the league for runs scored this season (610).
- The Detroit Tigers rank 29th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.377).
Randy’s Pick
Laying this sort of juice with the Tigers does feel weird, but what's the alternative. The Athletics are the worst team in baseball, riding a 7-game losing streak, and Luis Medina has an ERA well over 5 with a 1.55 WHIP. Backing the A's in any shape or form isn't something you should be doing at this stage. Tarik Skubal has been a bright spot for the Tigers with a 3.25 ERA and 0.97 WHIP through 69.1 innings. Give me the Tigers.
