Betsided

Red Sox vs. Tigers Prediction and Odds for Monday, April 11 (Tigers With Pitching Edge)

By Joe Summers

The Tigers are expecting an improved year from Matt Manning as he takes on the Red Sox today
The Tigers are expecting an improved year from Matt Manning as he takes on the Red Sox today / Jonathan Daniel/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

We've got a battle of 1-2 teams as the Detroit Tigers host the Boston Red Sox today at 5:10 PM EST.

Boston dropped their first two games to the Yankees before pulling off a 4-3 win yesterday, while the Tigers won on opening day but were outscored 15-3 over their last two games against the White Sox.

Detroit will try to get back in the win column with Matt Manning on the mound today. Manning is entering his second season as a starter and went 4-7 with a 5.80 ERA over 18 starts in 2021.

The Red Sox will counter with Michael Wacha, who went 3-5 with a 5.05 ERA last year.

Can Boston get back to .500 with a road win or will the Tigers snap their two-game losing streak?

Here are the odds from WynnBET to help us find value in this Red Sox vs Tigers matchup:

Red Sox vs Tigers Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line

  • Red Sox -1.5 (+135)
  • Tigers +1.5 (-165)

Moneyline:

  • Red Sox: -114
  • Tigers: +104

Total:

  • 9.5 (Over -115/Under -105)

Red Sox vs Tigers Prediction and Pick

I've got a lot of optimism for Manning in his second season. The former No. 9 overall draft pick looked great in spring training and closed last year strong, surrendering three or fewer runs in seven of his final nine games.

Manning's 4.62 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) suggests his 5.80 ERA was a bit unlucky as well. He's not a big strikeout pitcher, but he limits hard contact and doesn't walk many batters. If he can continue to improve control of his secondary pitches he could have a huge year.

Meanwhile, Wacha is sort of the definition of mediocrity. He's a fine pitcher, but has never been great, and is best suited for end-of-the-rotation duties. In spring training, Wacha surrendered 11 runs and 19 hits over 15 innings, so he's hardly in excellent form either.

The Tigers are a popular pick to make a run at the playoffs. That doesn't happen without a strong season from Manning and I think he gets it going with a win today. Detroit is 5-2 in their last seven at home against a right-handed pitcher and should tee off on Wacha. Give me Motor City.

Pick: Tigers +104

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

Home/MLB Picks