As the postseason approaches, fans are in for an exciting contest as the Detroit Tigers (86-76) will go up against the Houston Astros (88-73) in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card series. This pertinent match will take place on October 1, 2024, Tuesday at 2:30 PM ET within the Minute Maid Park. It will be war with new tactics and industries at play to woo the audience through entertainment. With both teams looking for a fair shot in the playoffs, this year has seen both teams work hard this season which makes this duel interesting for baseball fans and betting lovers. Today’s MLB free picks look at this exciting game and explain why the game is worth the hype.
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Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros 10/1/24 Game Info and Odds |
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| When: | Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 2:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Minute Maid Park |
| Watch: | ABC, ESPN, MLB.TV |
| Tigers odds: | Moneyline +117 |
| Astros odds: | Moneyline -127 |
| Total Line: | O/U 6.5 -110 |
Detroit Tigers (86-76) vs. Houston Astros (88-73)
The Detroit Tigers, showcasing a commendable season record, head into the postseason with robust momentum, though they have encountered some setbacks recently. Over their last five games, the Tigers have clinched three victories, including pivotal wins against Tampa Bay, underscoring their readiness for the playoff atmosphere. Their recent series against Kansas City also saw them triumph in three games, further highlighting their preparedness and capability to perform under playoff pressures.
| Detroit Tigers Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 29, 2024 | CHW | 5-9 | Lose |
| Sep 28, 2024 | CHW | 0-4 | Lose |
| Sep 27, 2024 | CHW | 4-1 | Win |
| Sep 26, 2024 | TB | 4-3 | Win |
| Sep 25, 2024 | TB | 7-1 | Win |
Conversely, the Houston Astros have shown significant strength, especially at home, finishing the regular season strong with wins over Cleveland and rebounding from losses to Seattle. However, their recent series in San Diego displayed a mix of resilience and vulnerability, as they managed only one win against two defeats. This pattern of mixed results highlights their readiness to tackle the varying pressures of the postseason.
| Houston Astros Last 5 Games | |||
| Date | Opponent | Score | SU |
| Sep 28, 2024 | CLE | 4-3 | Win |
| Sep 27, 2024 | CLE | 5-2 | Win |
| Sep 25, 2024 | SEA | 1-8 | Lose |
| Sep 24, 2024 | SEA | 4-3 | Win |
| Sep 23, 2024 | SEA | 1-6 | Lose |
Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.39 ERA) vs. Framber Valdez (15-7, 2.91 ERA)
Tarik Skubal who is Detroit’s best pitcher this season has been incredible with 18 wins and 4 losses, and an impressive 2.39 earned run average. Pithing with a WHIP of only 0.92 while also recording 228 strikeouts over a 192-inning span is what makes him a beast on the mound. Skubal’s way of pitching which involves high dialed strikeout numbers accompanied by low walks seems to have the potential to help in quieting down the lumber of the Astros.
Framber Valdez, who has an equally commendable 15-7 record and 2.91 apiece, takes the mound for Houston. The strength of Valdez is found in his steadiness and how quickly he controls the pace of the game as depicted in his two hundred and sixty-nine strike outs with a WHIP of 1.11. This would be pivotal in facing the Tigers’ lineup that has recently been on the back foot and hot at the same time.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Houston Astros -127, Total Odds: 6.5
The Astros have the upper hand considering the betting lines, most likely owing to the fact that they have a strong home record as well as having a good finish to the season. The total line of 6.5 indicates that oddsmakers expect very few runs to be scored in this game, given the quality of the two pitchers.
Detroit Tigers Betting Trends
Detroit appears to be an exciting possibility as this heavy underdog since they have showed that they can turn the tide, such as lately where they managed to win 10 out of the last 13 games. It is however worth noting that the team has had a rough time facing Houston particularly when playing at Minute Maid Park. Given that the total has gone UNDER in over half of their games 5 out of the last 7, betting on this match to have a low score may also be a good idea.
Houston Astros Betting Trends
With such a great home record and more than successful endeavors against Detroit in recent encounters, there is no question of Houston’s favoritism. Therefore, the OVER, which was recorded in 10 of their last 14 home fixtures, is also a pointer to this team’s attacking threat levels and though the total line themselves is rather apt and conservative, there is a lot of scope for scoring, especially with a bit of luck and on home ground
Detroit Tigers vs. Houston Astros 10/1/24 Betting Picks
As they head into the playoffs, the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros are quite similar as both teams present unique strengths and weaknesses. A close game is at hand. As evident from their recent betting patterns and information, the Astros appear in a good position, having a good home record and an all-time advantage over Detroit in Minute Maid Park.
Due to the exciting heat from the mound on both sides, burning money on the total line crossing should be a well-off bet. Also, prop bets can be quite advantageous, where the focus should be on strike totals, as they should be of great value, considering the pitchers’ history. If exclusive sports picks are to be made, a rational bet on Houston with the postseason and home ground advantage should pay a win.