Oakland Athletics vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Predictions September 7th 2024

From Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, we have the Tigers and Athletics facing off in an AL matchup. The Athletics are favored on the money line, with their odds sitting at -121 compared to the Tigers at +102. The over/under line is at 8 runs, and the forecasted temperature is 61 degrees with a clear sky.

First pitch for Saturday’s matchup is set for 4:07 PM ET, and the game can be seen on BSDET. Brant Hurter is starting for the Tigers, and he is facing off against Brady Basso. The Tigers are 71-71, and the Athletics are 62-80, with both teams sitting in 4th place in their respective divisions.

Detroit vs. Oakland Key Information

• Teams: Tigers at Athletics
• Where: Oakland Coliseum Oakland
• Date: Saturday, September 7th
• Betting Odds OAK -121 | DET +102 O/U 8

The Tigers Can Win If…

Detroit is sending left-hander Brant Hurter to the mound today vs. the Athletics. He has made one start and six appearances this year, coming out of the bullpen for his last three outings. Hurter’s most recent outing came on September 1st, where he picked up the win after going five innings out of the bullpen and giving up one earned run. Looking back at his last three outings, he has given up two earned runs in each of his last two outings. Hurter’s ERA for the season is 3.25, and opponents are batting .219 off him this year.

Heading into today’s game, the Tigers are averaging 4.2 runs per game, which is 21st in the league. As a team, they are batting just .233 and have an on-base percentage of .297, both of which are near the bottom of the league. Detroit’s offense has been a bit better on the road this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game.

Riley Greene has been a bright spot for the Tigers this season, as he is batting .260 with a team-high 20 home runs and 60 RBIs. Over his last seven games, Zach McKinstry is batting .429, and Matt Vierling has gone 6/33 in his last nine games. Colt Keith comes into the game with a four-game hitting streak.

• The Tigers are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Tigers are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Detroit has an over/under record of 3-7 in their last ten games.
• The Tigers have an average of 3.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Tigers are 6-4
• Looking back across the Tigers last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Detroit has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Tigers have averaged 5.8 runs per game on offense

The Athletics Can Win If…

Brady Basso is making his first start of the season for the Oakland Athletics, as he has made three appearances out of the bullpen. In his last outing, he went two innings and gave up two earned runs on three hits and struck out two against the Twins.

For the season, the Athletics are batting just .234, which is 17th in the league. However, they do have the 4th most home runs in the league and are averaging 4.1 runs per game. Brent Rooker has been a big part of their offense, as he is batting .301 for the season and has 35 homers, which is 7th in the league. He has also been hot of late, going 17/34 in his last eight games, with four homers.

As a team, the Athletics are just 25th in the league in runs scored, averaging 4.1 runs per contest. They are also near the bottom of the league in strikeouts and have a collective on-base percentage of just .304. Oakland’s top home run threat behind Rooker is Shea Langeliers, who has 25 homers but is batting just .221 for the season.

• The Athletics are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Athletics are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Oakland has an over/under record of 8-2 in their last ten games.
• The Athletics have an average of 4.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Athletics are 6-4
• Looking back across the Athletics last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Oakland has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Athletics have averaged 6.3 runs per game on offense

The Lean

For a money-line pick, our lean would be to take the Athletics to come out on top at home. And with the way we are leaning on the over/under line, it would be to take the over. This game is projected to have the 7th most combined runs in today’s league slate and the 9th most hits. Oakland starter Brady Basso has the lowest innings pitched projection but has the best earned runs allowed projection among today’s starters.

Hot Hitters Ready to Shine in Tigers vs. Athletics Showdown

Get ready for a showdown between two of the American League’s hottest hitters! Zach McKinstry of the Detroit Tigers and Lawrence Butler from the Oakland Athletics are set to face off again in what promises to be an action-packed Saturday matchup at the Oakland Coliseum. Coming off a thrilling 13-inning opener, this second game is poised to be another exciting chapter in their series.

The Battle of the Bats: McKinstry vs. Butler

Zach McKinstry: Tigers’ Versatile Powerhouse

Zach McKinstry has been nothing short of a game-changer for the Tigers. This 28-year-old utility player has become a crucial part of Detroit’s playoff push, which depends heavily on his performance. Wrapping up August with an impressive 11-game hitting streak, McKinstry’s bat has kept Detroit in the hunt for the American League Wild Card.

Despite his flexible role—sometimes starting, sometimes coming off the bench—McKinstry has been on fire. Over the past 22 games, he’s been hitting at a blistering .381 clip, collecting 24 hits in 63 at-bats. His two-hit performance in Friday’s series opener marked his seventh multi-hit game during this stretch. Tigers’ manager A.J. Hinch praised him, saying, “I can plug Zach in wherever, and when he’s hitting like this, why wouldn’t I?”

Lawrence Butler: The Rising Star for the Athletics

On the other side, Oakland’s young outfielder Lawrence Butler has been equally impressive. The 23-year-old is riding a 16-game hitting streak, hitting an incredible .409 during this stretch, which has boosted his season average from .237 to .270. Butler has quickly become a consistent threat in Oakland’s lineup, offering some much-needed offensive firepower.

In Friday’s 7-6 victory, Butler collected three hits, including a slow roller to shortstop that extended his hitting streak. He’s got a humble but determined approach, saying, “I’m just trying to put the ball in play and leave it up to the baseball gods.” His mindset has not only helped the A’s but has also energized the young roster as they focus on building for the future.

Tigers’ Playoff Dreams on the Line

Right now, the Tigers are in the thick of a playoff race. With a 71-71 record, they’re 5 ½ games behind the Minnesota Twins for the final Wild Card spot. Every game matters, and they’ve struggled recently, dropping three out of their last four, including two tough losses to the Padres. McKinstry’s hot streak could be the key to keeping their playoff hopes alive as they push through the final stretch of the season.

If you’re curious about where the Tigers stand in the odds, be sure to check the latest MLB Odds to see how things are shaping up.

The Tigers’ offense has shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency is what they need. A win in this series could give Detroit the momentum it needs to stay competitive as they inch closer to the postseason.

Athletics: Focusing on the Future

Although the Athletics (62-80) are far from playoff contention, they’ve got their sights set on developing young talent like Butler. Manager Mark Kotsay is giving his rookies and younger players a chance to shine, and wins like Friday’s extra-inning victory can be huge confidence boosters for the team’s future core.

The A’s aren’t in a position to make a playoff push, but they are certainly playing spoiler down the stretch. Every win and every good performance from their up-and-coming players is a step toward building a competitive roster for the seasons ahead.

Pitching Duel: Hurter vs. Basso

Brant Hurter: Tigers’ Emerging Left-Hander

Brant Hurter is stepping up for the Tigers on Saturday. This will be his second major league start, and the 26-year-old lefty has been on a roll lately, winning each of his last three outings. In his most recent start, Hurter delivered a solid five innings against the Angels, allowing just two runs in a 6-2 victory.

For fans looking to make the most out of this exciting matchup, check out our detailed MLB Betting Guide.

Hurter has primarily worked out of the bullpen this season, but his ability to pitch deep into games is a huge asset—especially considering Detroit’s bullpen is gassed after Friday’s 13-inning marathon. Hurter has yet to face the A’s, but if his current form holds, he could be just what the Tigers need to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Brady Basso: A’s Rookie on the Rise

Oakland is putting their trust in rookie Brady Basso. The 26-year-old will make his first major league start after a few relief appearances earlier this season. While Basso has struggled in Triple-A with a 5.19 ERA, this game could be a big opportunity for him to prove himself.

Basso’s longest outing in the majors was a two-inning relief appearance against the Twins in June, where he gave up two runs. Like Hurter, Basso has never faced his Saturday opponent, so it’s a fresh challenge for the rookie to showcase his skills.

What to Watch for in Saturday’s Game

Fatigued Bullpens: Both teams used up seven relievers during Friday’s 13-inning marathon, which puts a lot of pressure on Hurter and Basso to go deep into the game. The team that gets more innings from their starter could have the upper hand in this one.

Tigers’ Offense Needs to Step Up: With McKinstry, Spencer Torkelson, and Kerry Carpenter in the lineup, the Tigers have the talent to put runs on the board. But if they don’t get consistent production, their playoff hopes could slip away.

A’s Young Talent: Oakland’s main goal isn’t just to win games right now but to see continued growth from players like Butler and rookie Esteury Ruiz. They’ll be looking for their young stars to step up and gain valuable experience for the future.

For a deeper dive into betting strategies for this game, visit our MLB Betting Guide and review the current MLB Odds for the Tigers and Athletics.

Big Stakes for the Tigers

This game is a crucial one for Detroit. With McKinstry’s hot streak and Hurter’s solid pitching, the Tigers are hoping to bounce back and even the series against an Athletics team that’s focused on building for the future. On the flip side, Oakland will aim to keep their momentum going and see how their young talent can rise to the occasion.

After Friday’s 13-inning duel, both teams are feeling the fatigue, and the outcome of this game could come down to which starter can go the distance and give their bullpen a break. Either way, it’s set to be another exciting matchup between these two teams.