Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the MLB playoff match.
The Detroit Tigers survived the first game of the series (3:1) thanks to a dominant performance by Tarik Skubal. The Tigers’ ace pitched six flawless innings, but the visitors will have to manage without him moving forward. The Houston Astros, on the other hand, find themselves on the brink of elimination.
Houston Astros
To save the situation, the Astros will rely on their immensely talented pitcher, Hunter Brown. His season started poorly, with Brown giving up 20 runs in three starts over the first six weeks. However, he has since regained his form, delivering stellar performances. In his remaining 23 starts, he posted a 2.48 ERA and a 3.27 expected ERA. Brown's strong fastball has helped him avoid hard contact, and the 26-year-old pitcher has significant potential for further development.
Detroit Tigers
Without Tarik Skubal, the Tigers will resort to a chaotic strategy to confuse their opponents. Left-handed reliever Tyler Holton is expected to start, but he will likely not last long on the mound. In this short series, manager A.J. Hinch will aggressively leverage the bullpen—a tactic that has paid off in the second half of the season. For instance, in September, the Tigers were among the top six teams in the league for team ERA (2.86). Additionally, the Tigers now boast top prospect Jackson Jobe, who was drafted sixth overall.
Houston Astros vs Detroit Tigers Prediction
Both teams are expected to continue successfully containing each other’s batting. The Houston Astros have a solid starting option in Hunter Brown, while the Detroit Tigers have a quality and deep pitching reserve. Expect a low-scoring game through the end of the series. We’re continuing to back the total under.
