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Tigers vs. Cubs Prediction, Odds and Probable Pitchers for Tuesday, Aug. 20 (How to Bet Total)

Betting odds, pick and prediction for the Detroit Tigers-Chicago Cubs matchup on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad. | Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers begin their three-game series on Tuesday night in Chicago. 

The Tigers have yet to announce a starter for this game, and with Javier Assad on the mound for the Cubs, this could be a battle of the bullpens. 

Shockingly, these teams are both 61-64 on the season, making this about as even of a matchup as you’ll find in August. 

Let's dive into the odds, key players to watch and more for Tuesday night’s interleague matchup. 

Tigers vs. Cubs Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line 

  • Tigers +1.5 (-170)
  • Cubs -1.5 (+142)

Moneyline

  • Tigers: +124
  • Cubs: –148

Total

  • 7.5 (Over -108/Under -112)

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Tigers vs. Cubs Probable Pitchers

  • Detroit: TBD
  • Chicago: Javier Assad (5-3, 3.19 ERA)

Tigers vs. Cubs How to Watch

  • Date: Tuesday, Aug. 20
  • Time: 8:05 p.m. EST
  • Venue: Wrigley Field
  • How to Watch (TV): Bally Sports Detroit, Marquee Sports Network
  • Tigers record: 61-64
  • Cubs record: 61-64

Tigers vs. Cubs Key Players to Watch

Detroit Tigers

Riley Greene: Fresh off the injured list, Riley Greene is the player to watch in this Detroit offense. He’s hitting .261 with 17 homers and 51 runs batted in this season, arguably the most consistent player for the Tigers all season long. 

Chicago Cubs

Javier Assad: This is the 23rd appearance of the season for Assad, and the Cubbies are 12-10 in his first 22 outings. Even though he has yet to clear five innings this month, Assad has a solid bullpen (3.62 ERA) backing him up. Can he keep the Cubs in the mix early on at home? 

Tigers vs. Cubs Prediction and Pick

Both the Cubs and Tigers are in the bottom 10 in Major League Baseball in OPS this season, and I actually trust both of these bullpens to slow them down. 

Assad hasn’t pitched deep into games all season long, but the Cubbies actually have a better bullpen than the Tigers, who have a 3.93 bullpen ERA in 2024. 

The UNDER is 34-27-1 in the Cubs’ home games, and Chicago is the No. 3 UNDER team in the league this season. 

Don’t expect a ton of offense tonight. 

Pick: UNDER 7.5 (-112)


Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.


Published | Modified
Peter Dewey
PETER DEWEY

Peter is a senior editor for Sports Illustrated Betting. He has worked as a writer and editor for BetSided, NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, MLB, and more. A New York City resident, he is a hoops fanatic with a soft spot for his New York Knicks.

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