The Minnesota Twins host the Detroit Tigers on April 9, 2026. First pitch from Target Field is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
The Tigers are favored by -134 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Twins are +114 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 8 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Tigers vs Twins prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Tigers vs Twins Prediction
- Tigers vs Twins Pick: Tigers ML (-134)
My Tigers vs Twins best bet is on Detroit to win outright. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Tigers vs Twins Odds
| Tigers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +116 | 8 -114o / -106u | -134 |
| Twins Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -140 | 8 -114o / -106u | +114 |
- Tigers vs Twins spread: Tigers -1.5 (+116), Twins +1.5 (-140)
- Tigers vs Twins over/under: 8 (-114o /-106u)
- Tigers vs Twins moneyline: Tigers -134, Twins +114
Tigers vs Twins Projected Starting Pitchers
| RHP Jack Flaherty (DET) | Stat | RHP Mick Abel (MIN) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 | W-L | 0-2 |
| 0.0 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0.0 |
| 7.56 / 8.38 | ERA /xERA | 11.05 / 7.77 |
| 5.19 / 6.64 | FIP / xFIP | 4.93 / 6.75 |
| 1.80 | WHIP | 2.86 |
| 0.0 | K-BB% | 0.0 |
| 34.8 | GB% | 20.0 |
| 102 | Stuff+ | 110 |
| 85 | Location+ | 94 |
Tigers vs Twins Preview
Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are looking to avoid a four-game sweep at the hands of their division rivals here. Detroit has now lost four in a row, including 8-6 last night, where the Twins were able to rock Framber Valdez for eight runs.
Detroit starters have allowed a combined 17 earned runs in this series. The Twins' bats have simply been on fire.
The Tigers will need veteran Jack Flaherty to right the ship here. He has struggled in both of his starts this season, failing to find the strike zone, as highlighted by his eight walks.
Despite the poor start, this is still a competent starter who registered a 27.6% strikeout rate with a 3.67 SIERA last season.
The Tigers have the edge on the mound with Flaherty. That could be just what they need to avoid the sweep against the Twins.
Minnesota Twins
The Twins send out right-hander Mick Abel. I had high hopes for him coming into the season after he won a spot in the starting rotation with a strong spring. But he's been abysmal in his first two outings.
If we include last season's appearances, Abel has now allowed at least four earned runs in five of his last six.
Last season, Abel had a 4.28 SIERA with a 9.2% walk rate. This year, Abel is walking hitters at a 16.7% clip. That's bad news against a patient Tigers team that ranks 7th in walk rate.
Then you have to consider that the Twins' bullpen is a bit taxed for this game. High-leverage relievers like Cole Sands and Justin Topa are likely unavailable after pitching in back-to-back games.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have a fresh Kenley Jansen, who hasn't made an appearance since Saturday.
Tigers vs Twins Picks
Here we have the better team on paper, reasonably priced favorites, as they try to avoid a four-game sweep at the hands of a projected bottom-feeder in the AL Central.
The number of bets and percentage of money show increasing support for Detroit heading into today's first pitch.
The Tigers also have the edge in starting pitching, as Flaherty is much more proven than Abel.
Despite his intriguing potential, Abel has been ineffective throughout his time in the big leagues so far, dating back to last season.
On top of that, Detroit has the fresher bullpen.
Another interesting angle here: this is a day game after a night game. It's getaway day for both teams. After dropping the first three, it feels like the Tigers will have more urgency for this one.
On the other hand, the Twins may opt to rest a couple of regulars to get ready for a weekend in Toronto, since they already won this series.
With that in mind, we'll ride with the Tigers in this one.
Pick: Tigers ML (-134, FanDuel)
