Athletics vs. Tigers Wednesday MLB probable pitchers, odds: Detroit favored by biggest margin in six years with Eduardo Rodriguez back from injured list

Wednesday night could be a very important start for Detroit Tigers left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. The veteran starter is returning from a six-week stay on the injured list and his time with the Tigers is very much up in the air. Rodriguez has largely been excellent this year when healthy, and Detroit is a -235 favorite at Caesars Sportsbook against the visiting Oakland A's, the most the Tigers have been favored by in years.

Rodriguez is in the second year of a five-year, $77 million contract but does have a player opt-out clause after this season. He's widely expected to exercise it if he continues to pitch as he did in his first 11 outings of the year. Rodriguez has a 4-4 record, 2.13 ERA and 0.98 WHIP. He last took the mound on May 28 against the White Sox before landing on the IL with a ruptured pulley tendon in his left index finger.

A ruptured pulley is more common with rock climbers trying to grip rocks than pitchers, for what that's worth. Because it was an unusual injury, the team was unsure how long Rodriguez might be out. Rodriguez made one rehab start with Triple-A Toledo and didn't allow a run over 4.1 innings.

The Detroit beat writers expect the lefty to be on a pitch count tonight. The sportsbooks do too, with limited props available: over/under 4.5 strikeouts, 4.5 hits, 1.5 walks and 1.5 earned runs. There's no win prop, with a win requiring the starter to go at leas five innings.

The Tigers optioned right-handed reliever Garrett Hill to Triple-A Toledo following Tuesday's game to make room for Rodriguez. If he does prove healthy, the southpaw could be the best starting pitcher to change teams ahead of the trade deadline. The Tigers aren't going anywhere, so they may trade Rodriguez rather than potentially lose him for nothing this winter. Of course, teams may be wary of acquiring the lefty if they feel there's risk he opts in to the remainder of his contract.

Wednesday's money line price on Detroit is the shortest since June 4, 2017, when the Tigers were -245 at home behind Justin Verlander against the White Sox. The team is 9-1 in its past 10 as at least a -200 favorite, with the lone loss at home on Sept. 26, 2014, vs. Minnesota. 

The A's have won three of four after upsetting the Tigers 1-0 in 10 innings on Tuesday in the series opener. Oakland became the last team in baseball to record a shutout. Lefty Ken Waldichuk (1-5, 6.78 ERA) is expected to be the A's primary pitcher tonight, potentially behind an opener.

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