MLB Baseball
2025-08-20 - Houston Astros at Detroit Tigers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : MLB Baseball
Wednesday 20th August 2025 - Scheduled 1:10pm
6:10pm (British Time)
Preview
Two American League Divisional leaders will conclude a three game set on Wednesday and it is the Detroit Tigers (75-53) out of the Central Division that have won the first two games. They are once again close to securing a double digit lead in the American League Central, while also pushing the Houston Astros (69-57) firmly back into the American League West Divisional race.
Fortunately for the Astros, who have lost three in a row overall, the closest rivals within the West have also lost four in a row and that keeps Houston 1.5 games ahead of the Seattle Mariners. Despite that, the Astros do know there is plenty of work to do if they are going to have any momentum to take into the post-season, while there is no guarantee that Houston will be in Playoff action.
Injuries have plagued the Houston Astros for a number of weeks now and the batting lineup have been struggling over the last few days.
That has put pressure on the pitching unit to keep the team in games and is perhaps a contributory factor to recent performances from those heading onto the mound.
Houston will give the ball to Framber Valdez in this last game of a three game set and the pitcher brings in an 11-6 record and 3.01 ERA from twenty-four starts and he remains the top option out of the starting rotation. However, it has been an incredibly difficult month for Framber Valdez and this is not going to be an easy game to turn things around.
Framber Valdez has made three starts in August and he has a 0-2 record with a 5.89 ERA, although the Astros have tried to allow him to work out of Innings.
In eight previous appearances against the Detroit Tigers- seven being in starts- Framber Valdez has a 2-2 record with a 2.49 ERA, but he is facing them for the first time this season.
The Tigers will counter with Charlie Morton who has an 8-10 record and 5.20 ERA in twenty-six appearances in 2025, but who looks to be feeling much better about himself since being traded to Detroit. He may have a 1-2 record in three starts for the Tigers, but the ERA is 3.86 in those starts and Morton will be hoping for some run support.
Charlie Morton was roughed up by the Los Angeles Angels, but around that start, he has allowed just a single earned run in 12 Innings thrown. Last time out he did not allow any runs against the Minnesota Twins as Morton picked up a first win in this uniform and the Tigers do like what they have seen from the veteran.
The starting pitcher will face the Houston Astros for the first time this season and Charlie Morton has a 4-6 record and a 5.97 ERA in twelve career starts against them.
The Astros won the first two games between these teams in 2025, but have lost three in a row since then.
Prediction
Veteran Charlie Morton can be a bit more erratic these days and the layers are perhaps aware of that with the odds against quotes for the Detroit Tigers to sweep the series.
However, he has looked confident in the Detroit uniform and is facing a Houston team that have been struggling at the plate.
This will put pressure on Framber Valdez, who is not enjoying his August starts, and the home team may upset the Astros in this one.
The Pick :
Detroit Tigers 5-4 Houston Astros
