Chicago Cubs at Detroit Tigers odds, picks and predictions

The Chicago Cubs (64-59) hit the road to take on the Detroit Tigers (57-67) as the teams open a 3-game series at 6:40 p.m. ET on Monday at Comerica Park. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Tigers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting since Cubs won 2 of 3 in 2021

The Cubs were 5 games under .500 at the All-Star break, but have been playing very well since then. They now sit just 3 games back in the NL  Central and have a tenuous grip on the last Wild-Card spot.

The Tigers just took 3 of 4 games in a weekend series at Cleveland and are 8-4 in their last 12 contests.

Cubs at Tigers projected starters

RHP Javier Assad vs. RHP Alex Faedo

Assad (2-2, 3.11 ERA) makes his 23rd appearance (5th start). He has a 1.25 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9 and 6.6 K/9 in 66 2/3 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 4-3 win Wednesday over the Chicago White Sox
• Road stats: 2-0, 2.14 ERA in 21 IP, thanks in large part to a .197 BABIP, as he boasts a weak 7/6 K/BB on the road
• Never faced the Tigers before
• In his 4 starts he has posted a 3.20 ERA in 19 2/3 IP, though he has recorded just 12 K (5.5 K/9)

Faedo (2-4, 5.16 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 0.99 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 in 45 1/3 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 5-3 loss Tuesday at the Minnesota Twins
• Home stats: 2-3, 6.16 ERA (30 2/3 IP, 21 ER), 8.8 K/9, 6 HR allowed (1.8 HR/9)
• Never faced the Cubs before

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Cubs at Tigers odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:39 a.m. ET.

Cubs at Tigers picks and predictions

Prediction

Cubs 6, Tigers 4

Faedo threw a gem last time out, but has been really up and down. In his last 5 starts he has held the opposition scoreless on 2 occasions but allowed 16 ER in 12 2/3 IP in the other 3 outings.

Chicago has the much better offense and should find ways to put some runs on the board against Faedo and the Tigers, who have a .441 winning percentage at home that is 5th worst in the league. Back the CUBS -130.

Assad has a low ERA, but the skills don’t support his success to this point. The lack of swing-and-miss stuff will make it nearly impossible to maintain his current ratios. The Detroit offense is 29th in runs per game but Assad won’t completely shut them down. This lines up to be a close game and it is recommended to PASS on the run line.

The Cub offense has cooled off lately, with just 43 runs in their last 11 games. But for the season they rank 9th in wRC+ vs. right-handed pitching, and they will square off this evening against a homer-prone pitcher in Faedo who is sporting a 1.8 HR/9.

On the other side, the Detroit offense is one of the weakest in the league, but they have fared better lately, with 53 runs in their last 12 games (4.4 per game). Regression is coming soon for Assad and the Tigers should do their part in pushing this total OVER 9 (+100).

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