Padres vs. Tigers Predictions, Picks, Odds & Starting Pitchers: Today, 4/21
After being featured on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball just last night, the San Diego Padres had to leave Houston for some far chillier weather in Detroit for the start of their series against the Tigers today. It’s another featured game on FS1 this time, and we’ve got our best Padres vs. Tigers predictions for you.
You’ll also be able to enjoy this series opener with a brand-new Sleeper Fantasy promo code bonus so that even fans in California can utilize the best bet from our Padres vs. Tigers picks.
Padres vs. Tigers Predictions For MLB On FS1, 4/21
This will be the second straight series that the Tigers get to be in Motor City, while it will be the same case for the Padres, but on the road. That’s the first thing we’re pointing out before making any Padres vs. Tigers predictions, as San Diego has been absolutely stellar…at home.
After starting 12-0 in San Diego this season, they’ve lost just one home game, which was immediately followed by losing a road series to the Houston Astros over the weekend. So, that’s all we need to hear to hammer Detroit today, right?
Well, not so fast. The Tigers lineup is still giving us hesitation, but the good news for them is that they’re facing an inexperienced starter for the Padres - Randy Vasquez. Therefore, when it comes to the best bet from our Padres vs. Tigers picks, we’re going to avoid trusting either team to come out victorious.
San Diego Padres: Luis Arraez Injury Update
When we covered the Padres for Sunday Night Baseball against the Astros last night, we had recently gotten an update regarding Jackson Merrill’s injury. Not only was it far from stellar news, but the newest storyline coming out of San Diego is also injury related. This time, it’s regarding Luis Arraez.
This comes immediately after we also saw Jason Jeyward get added to the IL, but it was Luis Arraez that had the scary collision that led to him being stretchered off the field. Those cases are always extremely concerning, but thankfully, he’s since been released from the hospital. That’s great news for both his health and a Padres lineup missing some pieces already.
Detroit Tigers: Jack Flaherty Back In Detroit
Tigers fans are all too familiar with today’s starter Jack Flaherty. After seven seasons in St. Louis with the Cardinals and then one more in Baltimore with the Orioles, Flaherty joined Detroit. After that lone season, he left for the Los Angeles Dodgers, winning a World Series with them last year.
Now back in the motor city, the righty has had four starts thus far, posting a 1-1 record and 2.53 ERA. Is that Cy Young caliber? Not exactly, but as a starter following Detroit’s lefty ace Tarik Skubal in the rotation, the team shouldn’t be upset with his performances at this point. As far as facing the Padres, Jack Flaherty has a 2-1 record with a 4.45 ERA.
How To Watch Padres vs. Tigers Today
With a series on deck that we don’t often see, we’ve got you covered in terms of how to watch Padres vs. Tigers today:
- Where: Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan
- When: 6:40 PM ET on 4/21
- Watch on TV: FS1
- Where to stream: Fubo, MLB.TV, Fox Nation, Tubi
Padres vs. Tigers Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
Although our best bet isn’t focused on a winner of today’s series opener, we’re still targeting a standard market, and you can see the latest Padres vs. Tigers odds below:
- Run Line: San Diego Padres +1.5 (-170) vs. Detroit Tigers -1.5 (+155)
- Money Line: San Diego Padres (+125) vs. Detroit Tigers (-135)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 8 (-110) vs. Under 8 (-110)
Padres vs. Tigers Best Bet: Under 8 Runs (Add Player Pick ‘Ems At Sleeper Fantasy)
After sharing the conflicting matchup with Detroit’s lineup and San Diego’s inexperienced starter of Randy Vasquez plus further breaking down Jack Flaherty, locking in any picks from Padres vs. Tigers predictions today can seem all but impossible. After considering some player props, we’re just sticking with a lower-scoring game.
First and foremost, with the Padres missing three key starters (Jason Heyward, Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth, they certainly aren’t as potent. They’re already the ones facing the veteran starter in Flaherty, and Comerica Park in Detroit is also considered a fantastic pitcher’s park.
However, we also don’t expect San Diego to get completely shut down, so this is just as much about the Tigers lineup not being able to take advantage of young starter Randy Vasquez. The second-year starter is nothing close to a strikeout pitcher - just eight TOTAL through four starts this year.
Despite that being the case, he’s maintained a 1.74 ERA while pitching 5+ innings in three of those starts. It’s also about the matchup, as Detroit has struck out the fifth-most times this season. Furthermore, arguably Detroit’s best hitters, Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene, have hit an abysmal .111 and .091, respectively, in their careers against San Diego.
That may only come with a total of 20 at-bats, but it’s still worth nothing. With that matchup, two bullpens that rank inside the top six for ERA and Flaherty doing his part, we’re taking the under 8 runs (alternatively, target player projections at Sleeper Fantasy) as the best bet from our Padres vs. Tigers predictions.
Padres vs. Tigers Injury Report & Starting Pitchers
We’ve harped on San Diego's injury woes already, and there is even Yu Darvish also on the IL. As for Padres vs. Tigers injury news in Detroit, they too have several concerns with Jake Rogers, Matt Vierling, Wenceel Perez and starter Alex Cobb all on the IL.
We’ve also harped on today’s matchup on the mound, and you can see the Padres vs. Tigers starters for today here:
- San Diego Padres starting pitcher today: Randy Vasquez (1-1, 1.74 ERA)
- Detroit Tigers starting pitcher today: Jack Flaherty (1-1, 2.53 ERA)
How To Target Padres vs. Tigers At Sleeper Fantasy & Claim Your $100 Bonus With Code ALARM
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