Boston Red Sox vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Predictions September 28th 2025

Tigers vs Red Sox MLB Betting Preview

Game 162 has extra weight for the Detroit Tigers (87-74), who remain alive for the AL Central crown, though Cleveland holds the tiebreaker. The Boston Red Sox (88-73) are locked into the postseason, but their final home game still matters for momentum. See full season numbers on the Tigers team page and Red Sox team page.

Cover Every Line, Spread, and Prop

All Sports, One Subscription

Get Free Trial

Boston walked off Friday before Detroit answered with a 2-1 win Saturday behind Jahmai Jones’ clutch RBI single. Now, Sunday sets the stage for both clubs to finish strong before October baseball begins.

The Tigers Can Win If…

Chris Paddack delivers a steady outing. With Tarik Skubal held back for the Wild Card opener, Paddack (5-11, 5.27 ERA) gets the nod. He’s struggled historically against Boston, allowing a 6.07 ERA in three starts, but the Tigers only need him to keep the game close.

Detroit’s lineup must build off Jahmai Jones’ hot streak. Jones is 7-for-15 over his last six games, while Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson need to generate power to back the pitching. The Tigers rank middle of the pack offensively but can grind out wins with timely hits and bullpen depth.

The Red Sox Can Win If…

Their depth pieces keep producing. With Alex Cora resting stars like Alex Bregman and Trevor Story, Boston’s younger bats have been tested. Ceddanne Rafaela has been clutch, delivering a walk-off triple Friday and hitting in seven of his last eight games.

On the mound, the Red Sox rotation is unsettled with a TBD starter. But Boston’s bullpen has been sharp and could carry the load. At Fenway, if the offense can string together rallies, they’ll have the edge despite recent inconsistency at home (6-11 in their last 17).

Matchup Breakdown

• Tigers: Paddack’s control is key. Detroit needs early runs to avoid leaning heavily on the bullpen.
• Red Sox: Motivation may be lighter, but Boston has momentum from clinching its first postseason berth since 2021.

Track updated odds on the MLB odds page.

Best Bets and Prediction

Boston sits as a slight favorite at home, but Detroit has more at stake.

• Projected Score: Tigers 4, Red Sox 3
• Best Bet: Tigers moneyline (underdog value with urgency)
• Lean: Under 9 runs — Paddack’s volatility balances against Boston’s lighter lineup card.

For more betting insight, visit the MLB picks page and sharpen your postseason prep with the expert betting guide.