Tigers vs. Phillies Prediction, Odds & Best Bets: Will Philadelphia Win This Battle of Aces?

Our Tigers vs. Phillies prediction backs Philadelphia based on ace Zack Wheeler’s dominant home record and elite strikeout potential.

Mike Spector

Last Updated: August 2, 2025 9:20 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Pictured: Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler is the focus of our Tigers vs. Phillies prediction. Photo by Eric Hartline via Imagn Images.

Starting pitching matchups do not get much better than what we will see in this game between the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies, as Cy Young Award candidates Tarik Skubal and Zack Wheeler factor heavily in our Tigers vs. Phillies prediction. First pitch for the middle game of this three-game series from Citizens Bank Park is set for 4:05 p.m. ET (Fubo).

Batter props are less appealing in this matchup with two aces toeing the rubber, so our Tigers vs. Phillies best bets focus on one of these hurlers.

Tigers vs. Phillies prediction: Phillies to win (-102 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
Best Tigers vs. Phillies player props: Zack Wheeler Over 7.5 strikeouts (-155 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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💰 Tigers vs. Phillies prediction & best bet

✅ Tigers vs. Phillies prediction: Phillies to win (-102 via FanDuel)

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Betting against Detroit to win with my Tigers vs. Phillies prediction may seem blasphemous with it trotting out the likely two-time AL Cy Young Award winner. But Skubal has not earned a win in four consecutive starts despite pitching to a 1.82 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 33:5 strikeout to walk ratio in 24 2/3 innings over that stretch, and Philadelphia counters with an ace that can match zeros.

Wheeler’s 0.89 WHIP ranks second in the majors, and his 2.00 ERA, 176 OBA, and nearly 10:1 strikeout to walk ratio at Citizens Bank Park are among the best numbers for any starting pitcher.

The Toronto Blue Jays were able to beat the Tigers in Skubal’s last outing by waiting him out and attacking Detroit’s weak bullpen in the late innings.

Given the Tigers’ uninspiring moves to add Rafael Montero and Kyle Finnegan to their bullpen at the trade deadline, I give the bullpen advantage to the Phillies with the newly acquired Jhoan Duran, arguably the best reliever to move last week. That is especially true after Detroit’s bullpen surrendered a lead yesterday.

Philadelphia is my Tigers vs. Phillies best bet, as it is 10-1 in Wheeler’s 11 home starts. Thus, there is great value with the Phillies as home underdogs, especially at FanDuel, the only one of our best sports betting sites where you can back them at shorter than -105 odds.

💰 Best Tigers vs. Phillies player props

✅ Best Tigers vs. Phillies player prop: Zack Wheeler Over 7.5 strikeouts (-155 via DraftKings)

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Detroit went 11-14 in July, which was the second-worst record among AL teams, and a big reason was its strikeout-prone offense. Thus, our best Tigers vs. Phillies player prop backs one of the most elite strikeout pitchers in the majors.

In July, Detroit’s 26.1% strikeout rate against right-handed pitchers was the worst in the majors. It now faces Wheeler, who has five double-digit strikeout games this season, all of which have come at home, and three of which have come within his last three home starts.

Plenty of the best sportsbooks, like Caesars and bet365, have Wheeler’s line for strikeouts set at 8.5, with the Over priced as high as +125. However, I am instead making the Over of 7.5 my most confident five-star play, even if it means sacrificing some in a potential return.

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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.”