The New York Yankees will be going for a three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers when the two meet in an afternoon game on Thursday. After losing their last series against the Baltimore Orioles, this would be a nice way for the Yankees to respond.
Will New York keep rolling with a win over a competitive Detroit team? You’ll want to keep reading our Yankees vs. Tigers MLB picks and predictions for our favorite April 21 plays.
Yankees vs Tigers odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
After opening as -154 favorites in the third game of this series, the Yankees are now as high as -176 at one sportsbook. The best price you’ll get on them is -155.
As for the total, the number in this game opened at 8. It is, however, up at 8.5 at one sportsbook, and it could end up moving up to that mark elsewhere.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full MLB odds before placing your bets.
Yankees vs Tigers predictions
Picks made on 4/21/2022 at 12:55 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Yankees vs Tigers game info
• Location: Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
• Date: Thursday, April 21, 2022
• First pitch: 1:10 p.m. ET
• TV: YES Network, Bally Sports
Yankees vs Tigers betting preview
Starting pitchers
Jordan Montgomery LHP (0-0, 3.24 ERA): After giving up three earned runs in just 3.1 innings of work against the Boston Red Sox in his first start of the year, Montgomery bounced back by pitching five scoreless innings against the Orioles. The lefty might not be a big name, but he’s as reliable a starter as the Yankees have. New York will be hoping he can give them a quality start here.
Michael Pineda RHP (2021: 9-8, 3.62 ERA): Pineda will be making his first start of the season, and the Tigers are hoping that the 33-year-old can replicate what he did with the Minnesota Twins last season. Pineda was a rock-solid option in the Minnesota rotation last year, and Detroit can use just that. For what it’s worth, the righty pitched against the Yankees just once last year, giving up two earned runs in 4.1 innings.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Yankees: Domingo German P (Out).
Tigers: Matt Manning P (Out), Javier Baez SS (Out), Casey Mize P (Out), Jake Rogers C (Out) Andrew Chafin P (Out), Spencer Turnbull P (Out), Derek Hill OF (Out), Jose Cisnero P (Out), Kyle Funkhouser P (Out), Riley Greene OF (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Tigers are 0-5 in their last five games against left-handed starters. Find more MLB betting trends for YankeesYankees vs. TigersTigers.
Yankees vs Tigers picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Moneyline analysis
This game presents an interesting situation, as the Tigers are seemingly rushing Pineda back from his rehab. The big righty was supposed to make another rehab start before beginning his season, but the Tigers needed somebody to go out there and give them some innings. Now, it’s fair to question just how Pineda will look when he toes the rubber in his team debut.
Pineda probably isn’t going to be able to work very deep in this game, and he could also be feeling some jitters when he’s out there. That would give New York a chance to pounce early, and it would then get to go to work against the Detroit bullpen. The Tigers have gotten some great innings out of their bullpen in 2022, but this was one of the worst groups in baseball in 2021. The truth is probably somewhere in between, and the Yankees won’t be intimidated when facing these Tigers relievers.
The Yankees, meanwhile, have a rather encouraging pitching situation. Montgomery is one of New York’s most trustworthy options, and he should be good for five or so innings of solid ball. The Yankees will then turn things over to their elite bullpen, which should be able to shut the door. New York’s 1.98 bullpen ERA is the third-best mark in baseball. As long as Montgomery gives up three or fewer runs, it’s hard to envision New York losing this game.
Prediction: Yankees (-155 at DraftKings)
Over/Under analysis
It’s a little surprising to see the total in this game at such a low number, as neither one of these teams has a legitimate stud on the mound. Montgomery is a sturdy option for New York, but he’s the type of pitcher than can allow three runs and his team would still be happy with his performance. Don’t be surprised if that’s exactly what happens here, and that would put Over bettors in a great position. The Yankees really should be able to score least five runs in this game, as Pineda shouldn’t be ready to pitch at a high level just yet.
Look for New York to score a few runs on the Detroit righty here, and then don’t be stunned if the Yankees continue to be productive against the Tigers bullpen. Aaron Boone’s team is due for a big performance at the plate, as it has scored four or fewer runs in nine of its last 10 games. This lineup is still one of the most dangerous ones in baseball, and it should wake up in a dream matchup like this one.
Prediction: Over 8 (-120 at BetMGM)
Best bet
It’s pretty risky to back a team to score in any particular inning, but you’re getting great odds on the Yankees to score one in the first. Considering this game’s circumstances, it really wouldn’t be surprising if New York were to get on the board. Pineda might take some time to really get comfortable on the mound, and he’ll have to face some of the Yankees’ best hitters in that opening frame.
Don’t be surprised if Pineda walks a batter or two in the first inning, putting New York in a position where one big hit can help you cash. Perhaps it’ll be Anthony Rizzo that comes through for those bold enough to back this one. The three-time All-Star has always done his best work against right-handed pitching, and he has been on a tear to start the year.
Pick: Yankees to score in first inning (+195 at DraftKings)
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