Since coming off the shelf, Lance McCullers Jr. has been awful for the Astros, posting a 9.88 ERA in three July starts. He and the ‘Stros will, however, be favored when they wrap up their series with the Tigers in Motor Town Sunday Afternoon.
- The Astros are 0-4 SU in Lance McCullers Jr.’s last 4 starts.
- The total has gone UNDER in Justin Verlander’s last 4 starts for the Tigers.
- The Astros are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games as road favorites and the OVER is 8-2 in that span.
McCullers isn’t the only pitcher in this matchup who’s been struggling. Justin Verlander (5-7, 4.50 ERA) hasn’t posted a win since June 27 and he’s far from the Cy Young candidate he was in 2016. In his lone start against the boys from the Lone Star State this season, Verlander worked 5.2 innings, giving up three home runs and six total scores.
When McCullers faced the Tigers earlier in the campaign, he allowed just one hit in a 6-1 Houston win and could be primed to get what was a stellar season back on track.
As the best road team in baseball, the Astros expect to win this afternoon’s game. A failure today would give Houston its first road series loss since the ‘Stros were bested by the defending American League champs at the end of April, a streak of 12 straight series without taking the L.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to pick the Detroit Tigers in this matchup found them as 118 underdogs on the MLB money line at Sportsbook. Betting the over under instead? It was 10 at its open earlier today and hovering near that number at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer score prediction models pick a possible 5.5-4.8 win for the Astros on Sunday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Houston Astros vs Detroit Tigers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Detroit Tigers sport a record of 46-56 heading into this matchup, while the Houston Astros sit at 68-35 on the season Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Detroit vs Houston injuries news.
The Detroit Tigers sit at No. 21 in the current MLB power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Houston Astros sit at No. 1 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
Scoring stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features the Detroit Tigers No. 9-ranked scoring average of 4.8 runs per game, against a Houston Astros offense rated No. 1 and scoring 5.9 runs per game. The Tigers have averaged 8.87 hits per game to date this season, less than the Astros hitters have managed (10.19 per nine innings).
Detroit owns the No. 25 defense, allowing 4.8 men per game to cross the plate. That contrasts with Houston's No. 6-rated defense.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Houston suffered a 5-3 loss against Detroit on Saturday, as C McHugh wasn't able to lead his team to victory at Comerica Park.
- Houston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 8 games
- Houston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Houston is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games on the road
- Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- Detroit is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
- Detroit is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Houston
Next Betting Matchups
Houston home to Tampa Bay, Monday, July 31st
Detroit at New York, Monday, July 31st
