Bet Astros vs Tigers in AL Wild Card Series 10/1
- Game 1 between the Tigers and Astros could be a toss-up because Detroit will have the likely 2024 AL Cy Young winner on the mound.
- Despite the Astros’ lineup slumping this season, it has the experience to be favored against the Tigers.
- BetUS sportsbook odds favor the Astros because of the deeper pitching rotation and their experience in the postseason.
The biggest surprise of the 2024 season might be the Detroit Tigers making a postseason appearance. Few in MLB predictions thought the Tigers could be in this position at the end of the season, but here we are with Detroit ending a 10-year playoff drought.
However, this incredible run will be tested against one of the toughest postseason matchups in the majors. The Houston Astros have at least made it to the American League Championship Series in the last seven seasons, and they are favored to get past the Tigers at -170 in series odds.
The headline of MLB news is that A.J. Hinch is the Tigers’ manager. Hinch managed the Astros from 2015 to 2019, winning the 2017 World Series and reaching another in 2019. However, he was fired due to the Astros’ cheating scandal, which resulted in the league suspending him for a season.
Hinch was then hired by the Tigers in 2021 and has been slowly trying to rebuild the team. It is only fitting that they have to face the Astros in their first postseason appearance since 2014.
Tigers vs Astros Series Information
- Game: Tigers (86-76) vs. Astros (88-73)
- Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX
- Day/Time: Game 1 (Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2:30 p.m. ET), Game 2 (Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2:30 p.m. ET), If Necessary Game 3 (Thursday, Oct. 3, 2:30 p.m. ET)
- Tigers vs Astros Live Stream: Game 1, 2, and 3 on ABC
Tigers vs Astros Odds and Run Line
Tigers vs Astros Series Betting Preview
Tarik Skubal Key for Detroit
Pitching has been one of the biggest reasons the Tigers have shocked their way into the postseason. Since the All-Star break, they have the best team ERA, at 3.13. On top of that, they will likely have the American League Cy Young winner on the mound in Game 1, which may change some MLB lines.
Tarik Skubal will get the start for the Tigers in Game 1. He has dominated this season, with an 18-4 record, 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts. Skubal ended the regular season tied for the most wins, leading the majors in strikeouts and finishing second in ERA.
Tarik Skubal has won the American League Pitching Triple Crown!
Skubal is the third @Tigers pitcher to ever accomplish the feat (Justin Verlander in 2011, Hal Newhouser in 1945). pic.twitter.com/pIeIcAg9mY
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2024
He led the AL in all three stats, making him a clear online betting choice to win the AL Cy Young Award. Furthermore, he is coming into his first postseason start hot, having just pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits with seven strikeouts, in his last outing.
However, after Skubal, there are some concerns in Detroit’s starting rotation. The next two pitchers with the most starts on the roster are Reese Olson and Casey Mize, but they have a combined record of 6-14 and both with ERA’s over 3.50. Mize has struggled enough to where he was removed from the starting rotation, making his last two appearances from the bullpen. That immediately makes things difficult for the Tigers to win this series at +140 .
Framber Valdez has been a massive part of Houston’s push for yet another #Postseason berth 😤
(MLB x @MattressFirm) pic.twitter.com/bqGvKGptUX
— MLB (@MLB) September 23, 2024
On the other hand, the Astros have many options that they can call on for a starting pitcher. For the opening game of the series, they will have Framber Valdez taking the mound. Valdez has been great this season, with a 15-7 record through 28 starts, having a 2.91 ERA. He did struggle in his last outing, allowing three runs in 5.2 innings, but outside of that, he has been lights out, still posting a 1.73 ERA over four starts in September.
Furthermore, the biggest reason to back the Astros in MLB picks is they have the starting pitching advantage after Game 1. If Skubal outperforms Valdez in Game 1, the Astros can pick between Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco, Yusei Kikuchi and Justin Verlander for the next two games to close out the series.
Bet this Pick: Astros To Win The Series (-170)
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Lineup Preview
Neither of these teams has the top lineups in the postseason, which could lead MLB betting towards the under in the run total for every game. Plus, with Skubal on the mound for Game 1 and the Houston Astros‘ numerous options at starting pitcher, pitching will be the deciding factor of this series.
Detroit is +126 while the Astros are -140 to win the series opener, which features a MLB prop betting total of 6½ runs.
Speaking of lackluster lineups, the Tigers averaged the fewest runs per game of any team in the postseason in 2024 at 4.21, ranked 19th in the regular season. Over the season, Riley Greene has been their best bat, leading the Tigers in home runs (24) and RBIs (74).
Kerry Carpenter grand slam! 🐅
The @Tigers are right back in this one. #Game162 pic.twitter.com/57NDlXz2On
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2024
However, Kerry Carpenter has led the lineup since the All-Star break, when the Tigers started to make their postseason push. Carpenter has 10 HRs and 28 RBIs in 37 games since the All-Star break, getting hot at the right time for Detroit.
The Astors’ lineup struggles have been a mix of injuries and a down season, leading to 4.6 runs per game, ranked 10th during the regular season. Kyle Tucker has only played in 78 games but still has impressive numbers with 23 homers and 48 RBIs.
Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker go back-to-back in Space City! ☄️☄️
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/JyDHqY3GnH
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 22, 2024
Despite a down season for Yordan Alvarez, he has been a consistent bat in the lineup. However, he is still leading the Astros in batting average (.308), HRs (35), and RBIs (86). That is while the stars of this team for the past decade, Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman, have looked like shells of themselves.
This is still an Astros lineup that comes alive every time the postseason starts. Given their postseason pitching advantage and lineup experience, it feels almost impossible to bet against them not winning this series.
Pick: Series Length Under 2½ Games (-125)
Wild Card Series Prediction: Astros Win 2-0
Making it back to the postseason after 10 years is a great accomplishment for the Detroit Tigers. But they are facing the Astros, who have dominated the postseason for the last seven years. Given that the Astros are the better team with much more experience, it is hard to go against the -170 MLB odds, favoring them to win this series.
Bet on The Wild Card Series Odds
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Questions of the Day
Do the Tigers have a chance in this series?
The Tigers can win the opening game of the series, but their starting pitcher takes a dip after that.
What are the Astros odds to reach the World Series?
Despite being the third seed, the Astros have the second-best odds of reaching the World Series at +350.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.