Houston Astros vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Predictions April 28th 2025

Detroit Tigers fans have plenty of reasons to smile these days. Coming off a dazzling 8-2 homestand and a dominant series sweep of the Baltimore Orioles, the Tigers are roaring into a key 10-game road swing with serious momentum. It all begins Monday night when Detroit visits the Houston Astros, a team they handled impressively last season.

Their 7-0 win over the Orioles on Sunday — featuring ace Tarik Skubal’s brilliant 11-strikeout shutout performance — wasn’t just another victory; it symbolized the identity this 2025 Tigers team has carefully crafted: consistent, resilient, and increasingly dangerous.

Detroit Tigers Finding Their Identity

It’s no coincidence the Tigers are thriving by winning seven of their first nine series, a feat not seen since the legendary 1984 championship team. Manager A.J. Hinch has preached about winning “in increments,” and Detroit has followed that mantra to near perfection.

And that’s exactly what Detroit plans to do in Houston, starting with Jack Flaherty on the mound.

Jack Flaherty Steadying the Rotation

Flaherty (1-2, 2.63 ERA) has been a model of consistency, despite a lack of run support in recent starts. Detroit’s offense has been shut out in back-to-back Flaherty outings, including a hard-luck loss against San Diego where he fanned nine batters.

When it comes to matching up with Houston, Flaherty has been solid historically — boasting a career 2.92 ERA against the Astros over five appearances. The MLB Picks page already highlights this as a key edge for Detroit entering Game 1.

Flaherty’s ability to mix high-velocity fastballs with a devastating slider has confounded Astros hitters in the past, and if Detroit’s offense can provide even modest support, a series-opening win could be within reach.

Houston Astros: Searching for Spark

The Houston Astros have been anything but predictable early this season. A team usually known for its overwhelming offense, Houston has been plagued by inconsistency and a surprising lack of power numbers.

Thankfully for them, Yordan Alvarez showed signs of life Sunday, blasting a pivotal three-run homer to lift Houston over Kansas City.

Yet for Houston to defend home turf against the surging Tigers, they’ll need more than just Alvarez — especially with MLB Odds showing tight lines for this series.

Ronel Blanco’s Importance

Houston will counter Flaherty with Ronel Blanco (2-2, 5.01 ERA), who finally delivered his best start of the season against Toronto. Blanco allowed just two hits over nearly seven innings, showcasing sharp command.

While Blanco boasts a 0.00 ERA in three career outings against Detroit, it’s worth remembering that this Tigers lineup is significantly more dangerous than in past seasons. With guys like Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene emerging as legitimate threats, Blanco will need to replicate his pinpoint control.

Road-Tested Tigers: Battle-Tested and Confident

The Tigers head into Houston brimming with confidence, and it shows not just in their results but in their swagger.

Tarik Skubal Setting the Tone

Skubal’s mastery over Baltimore wasn’t just about racking up strikeouts; it was about sending a message to the rest of the American League: The Tigers are for real.

According to analysts on the MLB Teams page, Skubal’s combination of overpowering fastballs and pinpoint sliders ranks him among the most unhittable pitchers in baseball right now.

While Flaherty doesn’t possess quite the same overpowering arsenal, his cerebral pitching style perfectly complements the Tigers’ grind-it-out mentality on the road.

Detroit’s Lineup Clicking

Offensively, the Tigers are finally getting contributions up and down the lineup. Spencer Torkelson, after a slow start, seems to be finding his swing, while Matt Vierling and Colt Keith have been instrumental in extending innings and setting the table for the heart of the order.

Perhaps most importantly, Detroit’s role players are thriving. Jake Rogers has been a quiet catalyst at the bottom of the lineup, providing timely hits and keeping rallies alive.

Key Matchups to Watch

This series presents several fascinating matchups that could tip the scales one way or the other:

Jack Flaherty vs. Yordan Alvarez
Alvarez may be heating up, but Flaherty has held left-handed power hitters to just a .220 average this season. This battle will be worth watching every at-bat.

Tigers Bullpen vs. Astros Late-Inning Rally Attempts
Detroit’s bullpen, anchored by Jason Foley and Alex Lange, has been quietly excellent. If the Tigers carry a lead into the late innings, Houston will face an uphill climb.

Astros Aggressiveness on Basepaths vs. Tigers Catchers
The Astros like to run, but Jake Rogers owns a 35% caught-stealing rate, among the league’s best.

Betting Insight: How the Series Shapes Up

Looking for a little betting edge? Experts at the MLB Expert Betting Guide note that Detroit has been one of the most profitable teams on the road this season against the spread (ATS). Meanwhile, Houston has struggled at home, especially against teams with winning records.

The total runs line should also be watched carefully. Flaherty tends to keep games low-scoring, and if Blanco can maintain his recent form, the under could be a sneaky good play for Game 1.

Stay Connected to the Game

Register Here!

Get Free Trial

Tigers’ 10-Game Road Trip: A Defining Stretch

After Houston, Detroit continues their road gauntlet with stops in Arizona and Kansas City. This stretch could define whether the Tigers are true AL Central contenders — or merely an early-season feel-good story.

Fortunately, with guys like Skubal and Flaherty at the front of the rotation and a lineup that keeps getting tougher outs, the Tigers are positioned better than they have been in nearly a decade.

If Detroit can come away with six or more wins on this trip, they’ll cement themselves as legitimate postseason threats — and perhaps, as Hinch hopes, they’ll fully embody that 1984 magic.

With Detroit climbing the MLB standings and showing no signs of slowing down, that championship talk might not be so crazy after all.