MLB Odds, Picks & Predictions for Tigers vs. Athletics (Game 2): Frankie Montas Gives Oakland Edge in Nightcap (Thursday, July 21)
Alika Jenner/Getty Images. Pictured: Frankie Montas
- The Athletics are strong favorites in Game 2 of today's doubleheader with the Tigers.
- Frankie Montas takes the mound for Oakland in what is likely one of his last starts before being traded, while rookie Garrett Hill toes the rubber for Detroit.
- Continue reading for a full breakdown of this matchup, including a betting pick.
For a preview of Game 1, click here.
Tigers vs. Athletics Game 2 Odds
| Tigers Odds | +140 |
| Athletics Odds | -165 |
| Over/Under | 7 |
| Time | 7:07 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB.TV |
| Odds via Caesars. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
The Athletics and Tigers kick off the second half with a doubleheader in Oakland. If not for the Kansas City Royals and their 36-56 record, which is a game worse than the Tigers' 37-55 record, this would be a matchup of the two worst records in the American League.
Records aren't everything, of course, but this is still a matchup of the teams with the two worst run differentials in the American League as Oakland is at -118 and Detroit's run differential is -112.
According to FanGraphs, these teams have a combined 0% chance of making the playoffs this season. Who will ultimately get the job done and take home the victory in Game 2 of this doubleheader?
Can Tigers Hit Montas?
The Tigers' offense has struggled mightily this season. Detroit is last in the American League in runs and home runs. It should be no surprise that the Tigers are dead last in all of baseball averaging 2.62 runs per game on the road this season.
For their trouble of traveling cross country to take on the Athletics, they'll be facing Oakland's ace Frankie Montas, who figures to be one of the most coveted pitcher's available at the soon approaching July 31st trade deadline.
Montas has a 3.26 ERA, 3.56 xFIP, 25% K%, 6% BB%, and 44% ground ball percentage. He was excellent in the lead up to the All-Star break as he had a 2.70 ERA in his last four starts.
Montas has been exceptional at home this year as he has a 2.67 ERA in 70.2 innings at home compared to 4.85 ERA on the road.
Hill Looks To Put Away A's
Oakland's offense would be at the bottom of the American League in runs and home runs if not for the Tigers. The Athletics are dead last in all of baseball in runs per game at home averaging 2.48 runs.
They'll take on Tigers right-hander Garrett Hill, who will be making just his third MLB start. Hill became the only Tigers starter in history to complete six innings while allowing two hits or less in their MLB debut.
His second start wasn't nearly as successful as he allowed six earned runs on six hits, two walks, and a home run in five innings against the White Sox.
It's only been two starts and one of them was good, but Hill has a 5.74 ERA and 6.44 xFIP. He's only recorded four strikeouts in his 11 innings while also walking three batters.
Hill had a 28% K% in eight starts at Triple-A this season and the Athletics have six hitters in their projected lineup with at least a 22% K% against right-handed pitching this season.
Perhaps Hill will be able to better display some of his strikeout stuff here against Oakland given the advantageous matchup.
Tigers-Athletics Pick
I'm going with the Athletics here. It's difficult to get away from Montas here given the matchup and how good he's been at home this year.
He also has to know that he's only going to make a few more starts for Oakland before the trade deadline so there's some added motivation for him to pitch well in case it makes one of the contending teams more likely to try to trade for him.
It's also difficult to sweep both games of a doubleheader and the Tigers would seem to have the advantage in the first game with Tarik Skubal on the mound.
I'm going with the Athletics moneyline -165 in game two on DraftKings Sportsbook and would even bet it up to -170.
Pick: Athletics ML -165 | Bet to -170
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