The Detroit Tigers are ready to play the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. This interleague matchup will get underway at 2:20 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to WGN.
Detroit Tigers at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Tigers are only 38-49 SU and are 47-39 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 2.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 0.8 units ATS. Detroit has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 48-35 SU and 42-40 ATS. The team’s lost 1.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 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.
Chicago games have a 37-44-1 over/under record so far in 2018. The Tigers have also been a good under bet with a total record of 35-49-2.
Southpaw Francisco Liriano is projected to start for the visiting Tigers. Liriano (3-4, 3.99 ERA) has recorded 52 strikeouts in 67.2 innings so far. He has yet to face the Cubs this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Cubs are handing the ball to lefty Jose Quintana (6-6, 4.31 ERA), who has 80 strikeouts and 40 walks, as well as a 1.41 WHIP. Quintana only made one start against the Tigers in 2017 (0-1, 10.13 ERA and two strikeouts across 5.1 innings).
Detroit’s pitchers have allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.21 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 7.18 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.67, along with a WHIP of 1.27 and a K-per-9 of 8.10.
The Tigers offense has slashed .247/.307/.389 on its way to 4.0 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Outfielder Nicholas Castellanos and shortstop Jose Iglesias have led Detroit’s hitters. Castellanos is slashing .309/.354/.518 with 13 home runs, 53 RBIs and 46 runs scored, while Iglesias (.266/.305/.374) is up to two homers, 31 RBIs, 28 runs and 12 steals.
For the home team, Chicago’s pitching staff has given up 3.9 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starters have an ERA of 3.82, a WHIP of 1.34 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.9. The bullpen has a 3.22 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 9.0 K/9.
The Chicago hitters are putting up 5.1 runs per outing, including 7.4 per game over its last 10 games and 10.2 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .393/.469/.645 over its last five contests and is 5-0 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Javier Baez and left fielder Albert Almora Jr. have led the Cubs’ hitters this year. Baez is slashing .286/.322/.559 with 16 home runs, 61 RBIs, 53 runs and 13 stolen bases, and Almora Jr.’s line is .329/.368/.459 with four homers, 27 RBIs and 45 runs scored.
The Tigers have gained 9.3 units and are 15-7 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 12 of those games, as opposed to 10 that’ve hit the under against lefty starters. On the other hand, the Cubs have netted 5.3 units and are 10-8 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over’s cashed in nine of those games, compared to nine that went under the total.
Detroit Tigers at Chicago Cubs Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Tigers, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Detroit has recorded 11 extra-base hits over its last five games. Chicago has 27 XBH over its last five.
- Detroit has recorded 18.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 20.4 over its last five.
- The Tigers have hit seven home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
