The Detroit Tigers (5-4) host the New York Yankees (6-3) on Monday, April 7. First pitch for the series opener from Comerica Park is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on YES, FanDuel Sports Detroit and MLB.TV.
Monday's series opener features a starting pitching matchup between Carlos Rodon and Casey Mize. Below, you can find my Yankees vs Tigers predictions and picks.
Yankees vs Tigers Predictions
- Yankees vs Tigers picks: Under 8.5
My Yankees vs Tigers best bet is on the under. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
New York Yankees vs Detroit Tigers Odds
| Yankees Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -105 | 8.5 -105o / -115u | -155 |
| Tigers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -115 | 8.5 -105o / -115u | +130 |
Yankees vs Tigers Probable Starting Pitchers
Yankees vs Tigers Preview, Predictions Monday
Yankees Betting Preview: Rodon's Control Issues
With the injury to Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon got the ball for Opening Day for the Yankees. He was brilliant in the season debut, allowing one run while racking up seven strikeouts in the win. His second start did not go as well, surrendering four runs in a loss to Arizona.
The biggest issue for Rodon? Walks. He issued four free passes in his last start and walked two in his opening day outing. He has managed to strike out 12 hitters, but early control issues were a problem in both games. After a terrible first season in New York, Rodon bounced back nicely to a 3.96 ERA last year. Rodon’s slider and changeup have been terrific so far, but his fastball has caused some problems.
After finishing last season with a top-10 offense and the second-most home runs in the league, New York has picked up right where it left off. It lead the league with 8.4 runs per game and 25 home runs. It has a team OPS of .950 and are getting it done with the entire lineup.
Of the nine players with at least 20 at-bats for New York, seven of them have an OPS over .800. Aaron Judge is on pace for another MVP season, hitting .324 with six home runs in nine games. 10 players already have hit a home run this season.
Tigers Betting Preview: Mize Taking the Next Step?
Is this finally the year we see Casey Mize put together a full season that shows him worthy of being a former No. 1 overall draft pick? Mize has shown flashes but has never been able to consistently put it together. In 60 career starts across the last five seasons, he has amassed a 4.28 ERA.
He certainly looked great in his first start, allowing just one hit in six scoreless innings against the Mariners, while striking out six hitters. He generated a 42.8% whiff rate, producing strikeouts with his fastball, slurve, and splitter. Mize has always done a good job generating groundballs, but if he can keep his whiff-rate up it would be a game changer for him.
Take it with a grain of salt because it happened against the White Sox, but the Detroit offense really came to life over the weekend, scoring 18 runs in its three-game sweep. Kerry Carpenter exploded for three home runs in the series.
Carpenter getting going gives the Tigers a three-headed monster at the top of their order with Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson. This lineup can be very top-heavy, but when those three are going strong, this team is very dangerous.
Yankees vs Tigers Prediction, Betting Analysis
This play is not for the faint of heart, but I like the under on Monday. Rodon has been inconsistent during his tenure in New York but when he is on, he can still be dominant. Rodon earned Cy Young votes in 2021 and 2022, and we still see those flashes of brilliance when his stuff is working.
Rodon struggled with his location early this season and has issued too many walks, but his slider and changeup have been nasty. His slider has generated a 58.3% whiff rate through his first two starts and has racked up eight strikeouts while allowing just one hit.
Mize is in a similar situation to Rodon. He walked three batters in his first start but showed an elite swing-and-miss rate, especially with his splitter. Mize has always been good at pitching to contact and generating ground balls, but if he can continue to punch out hitters, he might finally show the promise that earned him the No. 1 overall pick.
Betting the under in a Yankees game is never fun. This offense has been the best in baseball to start the year and is capable of putting up a crooked number with one swing of the bat. These two teams have combined to start the year 13-5 to the over. So naturally, let’s hold our nose and bet the under.
Pick: Under 8.5
Yankees vs Tigers Betting Trends
Yankees vs Tigers Viewing Info: Channel, Start Time, Streaming
| Location: | Comerica Park in Detroit |
| Date: | Monday, April 7 |
| Time: | 3:10 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming Options: | YES; FanDuel Sports Detroit; MLB.TV |
