The Detroit Tigers (68-66) host the Los Angeles Angels (54-79) on Thursday at Comerica Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET on MLB Network as the Tigers attempt to sweep the Angels and run their winning streak up to seven games.
Angels vs Tigers odds for Thursday have the Tigers as -180 moneyline favorites with an over/under of 9 (-102o / -118u). Jack Kochanowicz will take the mound for Los Angeles, while Detroit is set to hand the ball to Keider Montero.
Below, I preview this American League clash and make my Angels vs Tigers predictions and picks for Thursday afternoon.
Angels vs Tigers Odds
| Angels Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Over/Under | Run Line |
+150 | 9 -102o / -118u | +1.5 -130 |
| Tigers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Over/Under | Run Line |
-180 | 9 -102o / -118u | -1.5 +110 |
- Angels vs Tigers Moneyline: Angels +150 | Tigers -180
- Angels vs Tigers Over/Under: 9 runs
- Angels vs Tigers Run Line (Spread): Angels +1.5 (-130) | Tigers -1.5 (+110)
Projected Starting Pitchers for Angels-Tigers
| RHP Jack Kochanowicz (LAA) | Stat | RHP Keider Montero (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | W-L | 4-5 |
| -0.1 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.1 |
| 6.08 / 5.71 | ERA /xERA | 5.15 / 5.01 |
| 5.64 / 5.06 | FIP / xFIP | 5.05 / 4.31 |
| 1.54 | WHIP | 1.33 |
| 0.9% | K-BB% | 11.8% |
| 61.9% | GB% | 40.2% |
| 100 | Stuff+ | 96 |
| 99 | Location+ | 98 |
Los Angeles Angels at Detroit Tigers Preview
Angels Betting Preview: Pitch Imperfect for Angels
Kochanowicz is still trying to find his footing, but the start of his career has been troubling thus far. He is 1-3 through five starts with a fade-worthy 6.08 ERA and 1.54 WHIP.
His underlying metrics are equally poor as the right-hander would rank (if he qualified) in the bottom quarter of the league in xERA, xBA, average exit velocity, strikeout rate and hard-hit rate. Following Kochanowicz is one of the worst bullpens in baseball.
This season, Los Angeles' relief staff ranks in the bottom 10 in ERA, FIP and xFIP. The good news for this pitching staff is that the Angels should be able to tee off Montero.
Tigers Betting Preview: Pitching Challenges in Detroit, Too
Montero has struggled nearly as much as Kochanowicz this season, and with a larger sample size. The 24-year-old is 4-5 with a 5.15 ERA and 1.33 WHIP through 12 appearances on the mound.
Like Kochanowicz, Montero's analytics are equally poor. The right-hander ranks in the 28th percentile or lower in xERA, xBA, average exit velocity and strikeout rate.
Also like Kochanowicz, Montero is followed by a struggling bullpen. This year, Detroit's relief staff ranks 20th in xFIP.
Angels vs Tigers Prediction, Betting Analysis: Bet the Over?
The only reason that this total sits at 8.5 instead of nine is because neither lineup possess a particularly dangerous threat. With that said, I would argue that the pitching combination of Kochanowicz/Montero and both bullpens is far more concerning than the woes between the two lineups.
Kochanowicz and Montero both rank in the bottom third of the league in xERA, xBA, average exit velocity and strikeout rate. Meanwhile, both bullpens rank 20th or lower in xFIP.
Angels vs Tigers Pick: Over 8.5 (-128 at FanDuel | Play to -130)
Moneyline
I'm going to pass on the moneyline. I have no interest in laying -168 on Detroit, and I definitely have no interest in backing Los Angeles.
Run Line (Spread)
I'm also going to pass on the run line. I like the Tigers at -1.5, but I would like to see a larger payout than the current +120 tag.
Over/Under
I'm betting Over 8.5 in this game.
Angels vs Tigers Betting Trends
All stats heading into Wednesday's games
ANGELS:
- Angels are 0-5 in their last 5 games
- Angels are 1-4 in their last 5 games against the spread
- Angels are 34-31 in their road games against the spread
- The totals have gone OVER in 2 of Angels' last 5 games
- The totals have gone OVER in 31 of Angels' 67 last games at home
TIGERS:
- Tigers are 5-0 in their last 5 games
- Tigers are 5-0 in their last 5 games against the spread
- Tigers are 40-29 in their road games against the spread
- The totals have gone OVER in 2 of Tigers' last 5 games
- The totals have gone OVER in 32 of Tigers' 64 last games at home
