Published Apr 5, 9:57am ET by
Demilade Adelekun - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Apr 5, 9:57am ET
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| Detroit Tigers | -143 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | +119 |
Kyle Leahy spent the entire 2025 season in St. Louis's bullpen, making 62 relief appearances. St. Louis is transitioning him to a role of a full-time starter role for 2026. His first real test came March 30 at Busch Stadium against a loaded Mets lineup. Leahy battled through five innings but couldn't record an out in the sixth. He allowed 8 hits and walked 2 while striking out just 1 over 5 innings. His 7.20 ERA and ugly 2.00 WHIP reflect the growing pains of a reliever adjusting to starter workloads.
The Cardinals' offense is hitting .220 with 7 home runs through eight games. Jordan Walker leads with 8 RBI and 2 homers while batting .296. Nolan Gorman has 2 home runs and 6 RBI despite a .192 average. St. Louis dropped the first two in Detroit by scores of 4-0 and 11-6. They sit 4-4 overall but 0-2 on the road.
Keider Montero was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to start 2026 after Detroit signed Framber Valdez and reunited with Justin Verlander. He was recalled April 4 after Verlander landed on the IL with hip inflammation.
Montero throws five pitches: four-seamer (31%), slider (22%), sinker (20%), curveball (15%) and changeup (13%). His slider is his best offering with a whiff rate above 35%.
Detroit is hitting .228 with 2 home runs through eight games. Colt Keith is mashing at .417 with a .462 on-base percentage. Dillon Dingler has 2 homers and 7 RBI while batting .273. The Tigers won both games at Comerica Park this series and sit 4-4 overall but 2-0 at home. Detroit's pitching staff has a 3.20 ERA compared to St. Louis's 4.29 mark.
Detroit has home field advantage, momentum from two straight wins, and Colt Keith hitting nearly .420. The Tigers' 3.20 team ERA is more than a full run better than St. Louis's 4.29 mark. When a struggling road team sends out a reliever-turned-starter with 1 strikeout in his only 2026 start against a home team that's won both games and is getting plus stuff from its lineup, you take the home favorite.
Pick: Tigers -143
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Pick
Tigers -143
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