The Cincinnati Reds (42-45) welcome the Detroit Tigers (39-48) to Great American Ball Park Friday. First pitch to kick off the 3-game series is set for 7:10 p.m. ET (Apple TV). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Tigers vs. Reds odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Reds won 2-1 last year
The Reds, who are just 20-23 at home this season, swept the New York Yankees on the road in their last series Tuesday through Thursday. Cincinnati beat New York 8-4 in the finale and covered in all 3 games. They are 4-2 straight up and 5-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 6, closing as underdogs in each game. Cincinnati is 48-39 ATS on the season.
The Tigers are coming off a 12-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins Thursday and will be playing their 8th straight game on the road. Detroit is just 2-5 in its last 7 away games and 20-26 on the road this season. The Tigers are 2-2 ATS over their last 4 yet are one of the worst covering teams in the majors at 38-49 ATS.
Tigers at Reds projected starters
RHP Reese Olson vs. RHP Carson Spiers
Olson (2-8, 3.32 ERA) makes his 17th start. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 in 89 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 9 K in 6-5 loss in 10 innings at the Los Angeles Angels Saturday
- 2024 away splits: 0-4, 3.33 ERA (46 IP, 17 ER), 1.22 WHIP, 3 HR, 8.4 K/9 in 9 starts
- Career vs. Reds: 1-0, 1.50 ERA (6 IP, 1 ER), 2 H, 4 BB, 7 K in 1 start, an 8-2 home win Sept. 14, 2023
Spiers (2-1, 3.13 ERA) makes his 4th start. He has a 1.15 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 in 37 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER (2 R), 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K in 9-4 road win over St. Louis Cardinals Saturday
- 2024 home splits: 1-0, 2.82 ERA (22 1/3 IP, 7 ER), 1.25 WHIP, 6.9 K/9 in 1 start and 4 relief appearances
- Never faced Tigers before
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Tigers at Reds odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:51 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Tigers -102 (bet $102 to win $100) | Reds -116 (bet $116 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread: Tigers -1.5 (+150) | Reds +1.5 (-182)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Tigers at Reds picks and predictions
Prediction
Reds 5, Tigers 3
Moneyline
BET REDS (-116).
Having come on in relief in his first 5 appearances, Spiers has been a starter over his last 3 Games. He has pitched 6 innings each time and has 4 or fewer ER in each of those. Couple that with the Reds who are on fire after a sweep over the Yankees and have finally found their rhythm offensively, having scored 16 runs in the 3-Game series, and Cincinnati is a strong play here.
The Tigers are just 23-24 following a loss as well and have struggled immensely over the last few road series. Detroit is just 13-21 straight up as a road underdog. Considering those trends, back REDS (-116).
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
The odds just aren’t favorable to wager on here. The Reds are run-line underdogs and too expensive at almost double your money. Detroit is too risky, especially considering its recent road play.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 9 (-110).
The Reds have alternated going Over and Under in their last 9 Games and are primed for the Under. They have allowed 4 or fewer runs in 7 straight Games and scored 5 or fewer in 6 of those.
Cincinnati is the 5th-worst Over-hitting team at home with a 17-24-2 O/U record. The Tigers are 5-4 O/U in their last 9 but are facing a pitcher that is starting to find his groove.
Back UNDER 9 (-110).
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