The Detroit Tigers will pay a visit to Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs. NBC Sports Chicago will be televising this interleague matchup and the game is slated to get underway at 2:20 p.m. ET.
Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 47-35 straight up (SU) and 42-40 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 1.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 3.4 units (ATS). Chicago has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in six of those seven. On the other hand, the Tigers are 38-48 SU and have gone 46-39 ATS. Overall, the teams accumulated 1.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline, but have lost 0.2 units ATS. Detroit’s covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Cubs games have had an over/under record of 37-44-1 thus far in 2018. The Tigers have also been a good under bet with a total record of 35-48-2.
Right-hander Michael Fulmer is getting the start for the visiting Tigers. Fulmer is 3-7 with a 4.20 ERA and 80 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Cubs this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Cubs will turn to righty Kyle Hendricks (5-8, 4.21 ERA) to the mound. Hendricks has 70 strikeouts and 29 walks to his credit, as well as a WHIP of 1.23. Hendricks did not record a start against the Tigers in 2017.
As a unit, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 3.9 runs per game overall this year. The clubs starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.80, a WHIP of 1.34 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.9. The bullpen has a 3.26 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 9.0 K/9.
The Chicago offense has produced 5.1 runs per contest, including 7.2 per game over its last 10 games and 10.2 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .382/.450/.624 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Cubs hitters have been led by second baseman Javier Baez and left fielder Albert Almora Jr.. Baez is hitting .290/.326/.567 with 16 home runs, 61 RBIs, 53 runs and 13 stolen bases, and Almora Jr.’s line is .331/.368/.459 with four homers, 26 RBIs and 44 runs.
In the other dugout, Detroit’s pitching staff allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starters own a 4.21 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 7.18 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.64, along with a WHIP of 1.26 and a K/9 of 8.09.
The Tigers offense has slashed .247/.308/.390 on its way to 4.0 runs scored per game this season, including 3.3 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 3.8 per game over the teams last five outings (2-3 SU).
Outfielder Nicholas Castellanos and shortstop Jose Iglesias continue to lead Detroit’s hitters. Castellanos is slashing .310/.356/.521 with 13 home runs, 53 RBIs and 45 runs scored. Iglesias (.270/.309/.379) has produced two homers, 31 RBIs, 28 runs and 12 stolen bases.
The Tigers have lost 6.6 units and are 32-32 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 23 of those games, as opposed to 39 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 7.2 units and are 32-32 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 28 of those games, compared to 35 that went under the total.
Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Tigers, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Detroit has tallied 12 extra-base hits over its last five games. Chicago has 26 XBH over its last five.
- Chicago has recorded 29.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 38.6 over its last five.
- The Tigers have hit seven home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
