Astros vs Tigers Free Pick, MLB Free Picks, MLB Predictions 8/19/25
- J.A. Cavalier
- Aug 19
- 3 min read
HOUSTON @ DETROIT (DET -160, 6.5)
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ASTROS @ TIGERS 8/19/25
Tuesday's American League division leaders' matchup in Detroit will be made even more intriguing by an All-Star pitching matchup. Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros and Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers will both start the middle game of a three-game series tonight.
The Tigers' fifth victory in six games came Monday as Detroit rolled to a 10-0 series opener, hitting four home runs. That makes the combined score of the Astros' last two losses is 22-0.
After an uneven July, Brown (10-5, 2.45 ERA) has made three strong starts in August. He has pitched 19 innings this month, giving up four runs and 14 hits while recording 15 strikeouts and five walks. Holding the Boston Red Sox to one run in 6⅔ innings on Wednesday, he earned his tenth victory. Brown also held the Red Sox to one run in seven innings on August 1.
According to Astros manager Joe Espada, "Hunter sets the tone on the mound, and I thought (Wednesday) he really adjusted his game plan." "I thought he had his curveball working when you see a really good offensive team again after seeing them twelve days ago (Wednesday)." It changed everything when he included that in his strategy. In the rematch, Brown struck out four and walked three.
For Brown, games at Comerica Park in Detroit hold a special place in his heart. He went to Wayne State in Detroit after growing up in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He has a 3-0 record and a 2.93 ERA in five career appearances (four starts), but he has been sparing when facing the team he grew up rooting for.
Skubal is still the front-runner to win the AL Cy Young Award for the second time in a row, but his last three opponents all recorded three-run innings. The Minnesota Twins scored three runs in the third inning of his most recent start. Skubal gave up a home run, his fourth in the last three games.
In addition, Skubal didn't put away batters as frequently as he usually does. He only managed three strikeouts, which is his lowest total since a two-strikeout performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the season opener. His fastball velocity was perfectly normal, clocking in around 99 to 100 mph.
Skubal has faced the Astros four times in his career and is 1-1 with a 3.16 ERA. The Tigers are 5-1 in their last six games. Houston is 2-4 in its last six.A.
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FREE PICK: HUNTER BROWN OVER 5.5 STRIKEOUTS
Brown will be pitching in front of a home crowd tonight. He grew up in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, not too far from Comerica Park. He played college baseball at Wayne State in Detroit and he’s pitched at Comerica Park three times in his career. On all three occasions, Brown recorded at least 6 strikeouts. His strikeout rate against current Detroit hitters is approaching 30 percent. More recently, Brown has only gone Over tonight’s number in 5 of his last 9 starts. However, he’s cleared 5.5 K’s in 15 of his 24 starts this season.
