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Houston (69-55) at Detroit (73-53)
- When: Aug 18 2025, 6:40 PM
- Where: Comerica Park, Detroit
- Where to watch: FDSDET
Detroit’s Starter Tries to Keep Houston from Catching Fire
Moneyline: Detroit (-154)
Runline: Detroit -1.5 (+139)
Total: 8.5
Monday night in Detroit, two first-place teams collide, the Houston Astros rolling in from the AL West, and the Detroit Tigers holding things down in the AL Central. MyBookie says Detroit’s the favorite, but let’s break it down with a little humor.
Detroit Tigers: Defending the Den
The Tigers are 39-24 at home this season, which means Comerica Park has basically turned into a “no-fly zone” – unless we’re talking about the fly balls Javier Báez sometimes forgets how to field. Still, Detroit owns a ridiculous 41-13 record when they keep the ball in the yard. In other words: if you don’t homer off them, you’re toast.
Riley Greene has been launching baseballs like he’s trying to break windows across Woodward Avenue, slugging his way to 28 bombs. Meanwhile, Báez is showing signs of life with 10 hits in his last 33 at-bats, though Tigers fans are still terrified whenever a slider comes within the same ZIP code as him.
Jack Flaherty (6-12, 4.76 ERA) takes the hill, trying to look more like an ace and less like a guy who lost his GPS in the strike zone. He’s racked up 153 strikeouts, so at least the swing-and-miss stuff is still there.
Houston Astros: Road Warriors… Sometimes
Houston’s 31-28 away from home, which is like saying they’re okay, but not exactly booking hotel suites for October dominance. The Astros love one-run games, going 22-12 in nail-biters or as their fans call them, “heart attack specials.”
Jose Altuve is still the engine here, with 22 homers, 64 RBIs, and more doubles than a late-night diner. Yainer Díaz has chipped in lately, going 10-for-40 with some power. But the big concern? Houston’s pitching has been leakier than a roof in a Detroit snowstorm, with a 5.48 ERA over their last 10 games.
Spencer Arrighetti (1-3, 6.38 ERA) gets the start, and his numbers suggest the Tigers’ hitters are licking their chops. If he can make it past the third inning without needing a rescue call to the bullpen, that’s a win.
Prediction & Final Score
Detroit looks sharper and Flaherty should do just enough to hold Houston’s bats in check while Greene keeps mashing. Arrighetti? Well, he might be in for a “character-building” night.
Final Score Prediction: Tigers 6, Astros 4
Bets Bet: Detroit -1.5 (+139)
Total: Over 8.5 (-106)
Detroit keeps rolling, Houston leaves with heartburn.
- MLB Odds source: MyBookie Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
