Game 1 (Oct 1) Tigers vs Astros: Odds, Predictions, and Picks

• Houston is a -155 moneyline favorite in the Tigers vs Astros odds for Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Round
• AL Cy Young-favorite Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.39 ERA) takes the ball for Detroit, while Houston counters with Framber Valdez (15-7, 2.91 ERA)
• See the Tigers vs Astros odds, predictions and picks for Game 1

The MLB playoffs get underway on Tuesday with a four-game slate. Up first is Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Round between the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros in a matchup few experts saw coming.

Both Detroit and Houston were miserable out of the gate in 2024, but each closed the season on a tear. The Astros were a league-best 73-48 over their final 121 games, and earned the status of favorites for the series opener in Tuesday’s MLB odds.

Tigers vs Astros Game 1 Odds

Houston is currently a -155 favorite in a contest with a total of just 6.5. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 pm ET at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX, with ABC providing the broadcast coverage.

Odds as of Sep. 30 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim a DraftKings promo code to wager on the 2024 MLB playoffs. 

Tigers vs Astros Probable Pitchers

The Astros will hand the ball to postseason veteran Framber Valdez. The southpaw will make his 16th career playoff start, after going 0-3 in the postseason in 2023. Valdez put up ace-like numbers this season, and was solid in his lone start versus the Tigers. He held them to two runs and six hits over 7 innings en route to a victory.

The 30-year-old was especially strong over the final two months of the season, posting his best numbers of the year. He was 5-2 in August and September, yielding only 11 runs over 60 innings. Valdez didn’t allow more than three runs over any of his final nine starts, holding the opposition to one run or less six times during that stretch.

Tarik Skubal vs Framber Valdez

Detroit meanwhile, will counter with AL Cy Young odds favorite Tarik Skubal. The 27-year-old led the AL in wins, ERA and strikeouts, and finished the season allowing two or fewer runs in eight of his last nine starts. He was equally dominant on the road as he was at home, but Houston was one of the few teams that found success against him.

The Astros, a top-four World Series odds contender, scored six runs in 12.2 innings against Skubal, batting .260 along the way. Playoff vets Jose Altuve, Jeremy Pena in particular have hit Skubal hard, each posting an OPS north of 1.275 over their careers.

Astros Hopeful Alvarez Can Return

One Houston bat Skubal may avoid in Game 1 is Yordan Alvarez. The Astros slugger is dealing with a knee sprain, and his status for Tuesday was up in the air late Monday night. Alvarez led the team in average, home runs, RBI and fWAR, and has been a terror for opposing pitchers in the postseason.

Joe Espada meets with media ahead of the workout. He expects Yordan Alvarez to hit in the cage and run on the field today. pic.twitter.com/jS8vLEgnMo

— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) September 30, 2024

He’s a career .295 hitter in October, with 12 home runs and a .949 OPS. He hit .465 in 11 games during last year’s playoffs, with an eye popping 1.487 OPS. Alvarez hasn’t played in over a week due to the injury, but did do some light running and hitting on Monday in hopes of returning for Game 1.

Tigers vs Astros Prediction

Without Alvarez, the Astros lineup isn’t as intimidating but it’s still full of proven, experienced players. Guys like Altuve, Pena, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker are used to delivering in clutch moments, and one or two timely hits could be the difference in what projects to be a pitcher’s duel.

Detroit shocked the baseball world down the stretch, going 31-14 to steal a playoff berth. They got incredible production from their young stars, but this lineup is not playoff tested. Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter headline the group, but versus Valdez and the Astros top rated bullpen, success will be tough to come by. Just how good is this Houston group of pitchers? Justin Verlander, a first ballot Hall-of-Famer, likely won’t crack the postseason roster.

Tigers vs Astros Series Odds

Playoff baseball breeds low-scoring games, and Tuesday should be no exception. We’ve got two of the AL’s most dominant pitchers, each facing a lineup you can poke holes in. Trends wise, Houston’s games went under the total at the second highest mark in baseball (58%), while two of the three meetings between these clubs in Houston this season failed to produce more than five runs.

The Detroit Tigers will face off against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of their series on October 1st. Both teams have had successful seasons so far, with the Astros currently leading the American League West and the Tigers making a strong push for a playoff spot in the American League Central.

The odds for this game are currently in favor of the Astros, who have been one of the top teams in the league all season. The Tigers, however, have been playing well recently and could potentially pull off an upset.

In terms of predictions, it’s difficult to say for certain which team will come out on top. The Astros have a strong lineup and solid pitching staff, while the Tigers have been hitting the ball well and have some talented young players on their roster.

For those looking to place a bet on this game, it may be wise to consider the over/under. Both teams have been scoring runs at a decent clip recently, so it’s possible that this game could turn into a high-scoring affair.

As for picks, it’s always a good idea to do some research before making a decision. Look at each team’s recent performance, injury reports, and head-to-head matchups to help inform your choice.

Overall, this should be an exciting matchup between two competitive teams. Whether you’re a fan of the Tigers or the Astros, this game is sure to be a must-watch for baseball fans everywhere.