The Detroit Tigers go for a sweep over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday evening at Comerica Park. First pitch is at 6:40 PM ET. Detroit has taken the first two games of the series, winning 7-3 on Tuesday with four home runs from four different players.
Detroit enters at 47-27, including 25-11 at home. Pittsburgh is now 29-45 and 10-26 away from home. These teams met last season with Detroit winning three of the four matchups, and the Tigers have now won five of the last six against the Pirates in Detroit.
Tigers Preview – Skubal Anchoring Best Home Record
Tarik Skubal has been nearly perfect at Comerica Park this season. The left-hander is 5-0 with a 1.72 ERA in seven home starts. He has allowed just one earned run in his last 30.2 innings and has 32 strikeouts to only two walks in that stretch.
Detroit’s lineup has been heating up. The team is averaging 4.84 runs per game and has scored at least four runs in seven of its last nine games. Baez hit two solo shots Tuesday, and Riley Greene now leads the team in extra-base hits.
The Tigers’ bullpen ranks among the best in MLB with a 2.56 ERA. Brant Hurter, Tommy Kahnle, and Will Vest have all been effective in late innings. Detroit has hit the moneyline in 47 of its last 71 games, and they are especially strong early, cashing the 1st Five Moneyline in 33 of their last 56 games.
Pirates Preview – Heaney Battling Without Help
Andrew Heaney has pitched well overall with a 3.33 ERA but carries a 3-5 record due to lack of run support. The Pirates have scored three or fewer runs in 11 of his 14 starts. Heaney has gone at least five innings in each of his last five outings and has not walked a batter in June.
Pittsburgh continues to struggle on offense, scoring just 3.18 runs per game. Bryan Reynolds is out for the series, and the team lacks consistent production at the plate. The Pirates have hit the Team Total Under in 41 of their last 65 games.
Despite recent bullpen improvements, the Pirates are shorthanded with multiple relievers on the IL. Justin Lawrence, Dennis Santana, and Tim Mayza have performed well in limited chances. Pittsburgh has hit the game total under in 39 of its last 62 and is trending toward more low-scoring games.
Betting Prediction
Detroit is a -295 moneyline favorite, with the run line at -1.5 (-140). The total is set at 7.0. With Skubal on the mound, Detroit should be in full control. His numbers at home are elite, and the Tigers are getting timely power from the middle of the lineup.
Pittsburgh has trouble scoring and is missing its top bat. Heaney may keep the game close early, but he is 1-2 with a 9.19 ERA in three career starts against the Tigers. Detroit should pull away and win by multiple runs. A 5-1 or 4-2 finish is in play.
Pick: Tigers -1.5 / Under 7.0
