Tigers vs. Athletics Prediction, Odds & Best Bets: Skubal to Feed Off Dominant Outing

Tigers ace Tarik Skubal looks to bolster his AL Cy Young resume against the Athletics.

Mike Spector

Last Updated: August 25, 2025 8:58 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Tigers vs. Athletics Prediction, Odds & Best Bets: Monday, Aug. 25 — Pictured: Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) delivers a pitch as I offer my Tigers vs. Athletics prediction. Photo by Jesse Johnson via Imagn Images.

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal looks to bolster his Cy Young Award resume in a road start against the Athletics, and I break down this series opener with my Tigers vs. Athletics prediction.

As one would expect with Skubal on the mound, Detroit is a steep -220 moneyline road favorite at our top sports betting sites. First pitch from Sutter Health Park in Sacramento is set for 10:05 p.m. ET (NBCSCA, FDSN Detroit, MLBN).

With how well Skubal has pitched this year, he should have much more than 11 wins, and I am backing him to earn just his second victory in his last 10 starts in my Tigers vs. Athletics best bets.

⚾ Tigers vs. Athletics prediction & odds

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💰 Tigers vs. Athletics prediction & best bet

✅ Tigers vs. Athletics prediction: Tigers -1.5 (-135 via bet365)

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Detroit had its five-game winning streak snapped yesterday, but the club has still won 18 of its last 26. It owns a plus-42 run differential and hit 39 home runs in that span. Because of its recent dominance, I am backing its run line to return maximum value with my Tigers vs. Athletics prediction.

The Athletics certainly have some exciting young players in their lineup. Nick Kurtz ranks first among all rookies (min. 100 PA) in average, extra-base hits, home runs, RBI, and OPS. Entering Sunday, Shea Langeliers led the majors with 26 extra-base hits while batting .336 with 30 RBI and a 769 slugging percentage since the All-Star break.

But no one neutralizes an offense’s biggest strengths like Tarik Skubal. Skubal bounced back in his last start from a semi-rough patch in which he allowed more than two earned runs in three consecutive starts for the first time over the last two seasons. He was dominant over seven scoreless innings against the Houston Astros, allowing three hits and striking out 10.

Lately, it doesn’t matter what starting pitcher Detroit is facing, which is the reason for my Tigers vs. Athletics best bet. The Tigers' offense has scored seven-plus runs in six of the last nine games and should provide plenty of run support for the Cy Young favorite.

Detroit’s run line odds are juiced as high as -145 at the best sports betting apps, so I am headed to bet365 for the best price.

📊 Live Tigers vs. Athletics odds: Monday, 10:05 p.m. ET

💰 Best Tigers vs. Athletics player prop

✅ Best Tigers vs. Athletics player prop: Tarik Skubal to record the win (-120 via DraftKings)

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Skubal became the first pitcher to record 200 strikeouts this season. He should be locked in tonight with Boston Red Sox lefty Garrett Crochet pushing him in the Cy Young Award race, and I found a great value play to back him with my best Tigers vs. Athletics player prop.

If one needed another example of how dominant Skubal has been this season, he has recorded more strikeouts than earned runs, walks, home runs, hit by pitches, balks, intentional walks, and wild pitches combined.

Skubal’s 10 games with six-plus innings pitched and zero runs allowed are three more than Max Fried’s seven, which is second in the majors. He has won just one of his previous nine starts, but three of those have gone to extra innings, and I expect Detroit to sustain a big lead much earlier in this game.

A $10 winning wager through DraftKings’ -120 odds would net $8.33 in profits.

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❓MLB betting FAQs

How do betting odds work?

Betting odds represent the probability of a specific outcome and determine how much money you can win on a bet. There are three main formats: American odds, Decimal odds, and Fractional odds. In the U.S., American odds are most common.

What is the run line in baseball?

The run line in baseball is a form of point spread betting unique to MLB. It typically sets a standard spread of 1.5 runs, meaning the favored team must win by at least two runs to cover the run line, while the underdog can lose by one run or win outright to cover.

What does moneyline mean in betting?

The moneyline in betting refers to a wager on which team or player will win the game outright, with no point spread involved. It’s the most straightforward type of sports bet - just pick the winner.

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Written by:
Mike Spector

Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”