MLB odds and predictions: Tigers vs. Mariners 7/14

Let’s hope the confetti is off the infield after Seattle hosted the 2023 MLB All-Star Game earlier this week. Because the Detroit Tigers are in that city to play the Mariners in a three-game series to open the second half.

The Tigers are five games back in the loss column. If the team can whittle away at that deficit within the first 10-12 days of the second half, they can act like contenders to win an (admittedly) weak division. If not, the hopes of any magic this season is over.

How can that happen? How could this seemingly hodge-podge Tigers team end up as a playoff team? They will need at least two things to happen: Riley Greene must harness his offensive and defensive talents to spark the club now that he’s back from injury.

And secondly, the Tigers bullpen must improve. Detroit’s setup men (that’s any relief pitcher who appears after the starter leaves the game, but before the closer, have a combined 5.39 ERA. That number ranks 28th out of 30 MLB teams. Detroit cannot compete to win tight, low-scoring games with that type of bullpen work.

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• Who: Detroit Tigers vs. Seattle Mariners
• When: Friday, July 14
• Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
• Where: T-Mobile Park (Seattle, WA)

Odds below are from WynnBET Michigan Sportsbook. New users in Michigan can qualify to get $100 in a deposit match when they deposit $100 with the WynnBET promo using code ‘XMIMLIVE’. That’s extra betting money for your MLB wagering strategy.

• Moneyline: Tigers +155, Blue Jays -200
• Runline: Tigers +1.5 (-140), Blue Jays -1.5 (+115)
• Total: Over/Under 7.0 Runs (-116/+105)

Eduardo Rodriguez (4-5, 2.64 ERA, 74 K in 71.2 IP) vs Luis Castillo (6-6, 2.85 ERA, 117 K in 107.1 IP)

How long will Rodriguez remain in a Tigers uniform? The lefty is in the second year of a four-year contract, but nevermind: his stellar season makes him an ideal trade candidate for a floundering team. But that’s not going to happen until we get closer to the Aug. 1 deadline. For now, he’s pitching to lift the Tigers or audition for suitors. That spells trouble for the Mariners.

Rodriguez has the type of late movement that could give M’s batters headaches. Take consideration of the K line for ERod, it’s at +110 for Over 6.5, and we have no problem tossing $50 on that to win $55.

Let’s slap down $20 on Riley Greene to go deep in the first game after the break. The odds from WynnBet MI are +500, which means a winning $20 wager on that MLB player prop would net you $100.

We’ve won the same-game parlay three times in the last 12 Tigers games. This time we select a five-legger using the Build a Bet feature from WynnBET sports betting site. The odds for this parlay are +1300.

• Over 0.5 Total bases for Riley Greene
• Over 0.5 Hits for Zach McKinstry
• Over 0.5 RBI for Riley Greene
• Over 0.5 Runs for Spencer Torkelson
• Over 0.5 Hits for Andy Ibanez

There’s not much respect from this column for Luis Castillo’s ability to stymie the Detroit lineup on Friday. We expect an offensive barrage as Detroit starts a western trip.

Keep your eyes on Ibanez: he’s our choice for Tigers’ second-half MVP.

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