MLB picks: Tigers vs. Indians, Rangers vs. A's

Friday features another full MLB slate, but we’ve managed to narrow things down to our top two plays of the evening!

Leading off is our look at an AL Central showdown between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians. Then we’ll dive into an AL West matchup pitting the Texas Rangers against the Oakland A’s.

Detroit Tigers (53-58) at Cleveland Indians (52-54), 7:10 p.m. ET

The Indians should take the opening game of their weekend series with the Tigers at Progressive Field.

Matt Manning gets the nod for Detroit, and he’ll be trying to improve on a dreadful 8.20 road ERA. Bettors should be skeptical about his ability to do so, considering he was tagged for nine runs over 3 2/3 innings in his lone start against the Indians this year. Manning allowed homers to Austin Hedges and Jose Ramirez before being sent to the showers.

Ramirez could easily strike again, as he has five homers over his last 10 games.

Cal Quantrill counters for Cleveland, and while he did allow four runs over 3 1/3 innings in his lone start against the Tigers this year, that occurred while he was still getting his feet wet as a starter. Quantrill is fully acclimated now, as he owns a 1.17 ERA over his last four outings (23 innings).

The Tribe appear poised to win the bullpen battle as well with their fifth-ranked unit by ERA (3.50). Detroit’s relief corps is a modest 25th by ERA this year (4.87).

MLB pick: Indians -148

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Texas Rangers (39-70) at Oakland A’s (61-48), 9:40 p.m. ET

The A’s will likely pick up their sixth win in eight games when they host the Rangers on Friday night, but their moneyline price is prohibitive. We’ll look to the totals market for a play instead.

Texas starter Mike Foltynewicz has had a forgettable 2021 thus far, but he’s held his own in three efforts against Oakland this year, recording a 3.26 ERA and 0.828 WHIP. Behind him is a Rangers bullpen that’s played surprisingly well over the last two weeks, registering a 2.76 ERA, good for sixth in the majors.

Chris Bassitt responds for the A’s against a Texas lineup that’s averaged a paltry 2.32 runs per game since the All-Star break (19 games). He’s already shut down the Rangers offense on three occasions this season, authoring a 0.86 ERA over 21 innings.

Backing Bassitt is an A’s bullpen that’s fourth in the majors by ERA over the last two weeks at 2.60.

MLB pick: Under