Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA

Detroit Tigers vs Oakland Athletics: A big game for the Tigers

The Detroit Tigers are visiting the Oakland Athletics tonight at Oakland Coliseum.

Can the Tigers save the season?

The Detroit Tigers are fourth in the AL Central with a 71-71 record, including 36-37 on the road. They have lost three of the last four games including the opener against the A’s. The Tigers have a 3.74 ERA, a .234 batting average, a .295 on-base percentage, and 1.19 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Matt Vierling is the best player on the team with 119 hits, 69 runs, while Riley Greene leads the team with 20 home runs.

Another disappointing season for the A’s

The Oakland Athletics are fourth in the AL West with a 62-80 record, including 36-37 at home. They have won three of the last five games. The Athletics have a 4.35 ERA, a .257 batting average, a .336 on-base percentage, and 1.32 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Brent Rooker leads the team with 140 hits, 74 runs and 35 home runs.

Betting Trends

The Athletics are 15-5 SU in their last 20 home games against Detroit and 6-14 SU in their last 20 games against teams from the AL Central. Oakland has played over the total run line in 5 of their last 6 games overall, 4 of their last 5 home games and 4 of their last 5 games against teams from the AL. The Tigers are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games against the Athletics and 10-3 SU in their last 13 games against teams from the AL. Detroit has played under the total run line in 7 of their last 10 games overall and 5 of their last 6 games against teams from the AL West while they have gone over in 13 of their last 19 games played on Saturday.

Prediction and Conclusion

Both teams have split the last ten games, and Oakland won the series opener 7-6 last night. That win doesn’t change anything for the Athletics, while the Tigers cannot afford such losses since they have a 6.2% chance of making it to the playoffs and the hope is still there. Detroit will try to bounce back with Brant Hurter on the mound, who is 3-1 for the season with a 3.25 ERA, 26 K, 27.2 IP, and 0.94 WHIP. The Athletics will give a shot to rookie Brady Basso, who is 0-0 for the season with a 5.40 ERA, 3 K, 3.1 IP, and 0.9 WHIP. The Athletics won the last three head-to-head games, and it is time for the Tigers to end that streak today.