Published Mar 20, 9:08pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Mar 20, 9:08pm ET
Grok AI
Updated Mar 20, 9:09pm ET
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| Detroit Tigers | -130 |
| New York Yankees | +110 |
Cam Schlitter was excellent as a rookie in 2025, with a 2.0 bWAR, a 4-3 record and a 2.96 ERA in 14 starts. He was brilliant in the postseason, starting 2 games, tossing 14.1 innings, giving up 2 earned runs, and striking out 14.
With Gerrit Cole returning from Tommy John surgery, Carlos Rodon recovering from having bone chips removed, and Luis Gil having a rough spring, much is
expected and needed from Schlittler.
He's been excellent this spring wit ha 1.50 ERA in 6 innings.
The final games of spring training are imperative to Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez and both are vying to make the team and could be left out based on the numbers game.
Giancarlo Stanton was dealing with tennis elbow, but he has played relatively regularly and has 4 homers.
Aaron Judge is back from the WBC, but he will likely be used lightly over the last few spring training games so he's rested and ready for the regular season.
Framber Valdez was a stalwart in the Astros starting rotation starting in 2020. He finished in the top 11 of the AL Cy Young Award voting four times. He was unable to secure a long-term contract this past winter. Detroit gave him two guaranteed years for $65.65 million. There are two player/mutual options. He will be motivated to have a big year in 2026. And the Tigers need him to, given their pitching injuries.
This spring, he has made 3 starts, tossed 12 innings, given up 10 hits, and 1 earned run, striking out 12 with no walks.
Corey Julks has continued his hot spring start with a .333 average and 3 homers. Riley Green is at .297 with 2 homers.
Spencer Torkelson has struggled at .211 with 2 homers. Javier Baez is his usual self with a .258 spring batting average and no walks so far in 31 at-bats.
This would be a marquee game if it were in the regular season with Schlittler taking on Valdez. Since it's late in spring training, expect them to work longer than they have so far, but they will be on pitch counts and limits.
New York needs to answer a few questions on offense as they decide whether Jones and/or Dominguez starts the season in the big leagues. Detroit is more settled.
Expect the Yankees to come out on top in this matchup in Lakeland, FL.
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Pick
New York Yankees +110
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