MLB Baseball
2026-06-22 - New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : Major League Baseball
Monday 22nd June 2026 - Scheduled 6:40pm EST
11:40pm (British Time)
Preview
Back to back losses have just seen the lead at the top of the American League East close back to 2 games, but the New York Yankees (46-30) are still leading the way. They will be looking to bounce back behind the leading pitchers in the rotation when they head out onto the road to take on the Detroit Tigers (33-44) who have just swept a series against the Chicago White Sox.
The batting lineup struggled in the two losses against the Cincinnati Reds, but the Yankees will remain confidence, while they have given veteran Gerrit Cole an extra day to prepare for his next start.
Injury cost Gerrit Cole the entirety of the 2025 season and the Yankees have been cautious with his return meaning this is going to be just the sixth start of 2026. However, Gerrit Cole has returned looking much like his old self and admitted that he would have been ready to go on Sunday even if the New York Yankees had not decided to push his start back a day.
Gerrit Cole has a 2-1 record with a 2.57 ERA in his return to the Major League and he has allowed just four runs in his last two starts after opening June by being knocked around for four runs in a single start against the Cleveland Guardians.
In his most recent start, Gerrit Cole earned the second decision win of the season and he has enjoyed facing the Detroit Tigers throughout his career. Fourteen starts have been made against the Tigers and Cole holds a 10-1 record with a 1.84 ERA, which will give him plenty of confidence ahead of his third road start of the season.
After winning three in a row, the Detroit Tigers will be looking to build from the momentum earned and they will hand the ball to Framber Valdez for the opening of this set.
Framber Valdez has a 3-5 record and 4.09 ERA in fifteen starts in his first season with Detroit having put together a consistent career in his time with the Houston Astros. A change in team and conditions can be difficult for any pitcher who has spent his career with one team, while Valdez has struggled for some consistency on the mound.
He has held two of the three opponents faced in June to fewer than two earned runs, but the start in between saw Framber Valdez give up four runs in 5 Innings thrown to pick up another decision loss. That also means in the last six starts, Framber Valdez has allowed a single run in half and four run in the other half.
This is going to be the seventh regular season start Framber Valdez has made against the New York Yankees and he has a 0-2 record with a 7.22 ERA in the previous six.
The Detroit Tigers have won six of the last eight games against the New York Yankees, but this is the first time these teams are facing one another in 2026.
Prediction
The momentum is with the Detroit Tigers after a series win over the past weekend, but Gerrit Cole can guide the New York Yankees to a bounce back effort after back to back defeats.
He will need a bit more support from the batting lineup, which struggled in the last couple of games.
However, Gerrit Cole is pitching with confidence on his return to the Major League and having another day of rest between games should see him lay the foundation for a success.
The Pick :
Detroit Tigers 3-5 New York Yankees
