Free MLB Picks Today: Detroit Tigers vs Oakland Athletics 7/6/23

The Oakland Athletics (25-63) are on the road to face the Detroit Tigers (37-48) at Comerica Park on Thursday with the visitors eyeing a sweep of the three-game series.

The Athletics lead the series 2-0 after winning 12-3 on Wednesday. Reliever Ken Waldichuk threw 4.1 innings to get the win. Jordan Diaz was 3 for 5 with a home run, three runs, and two RBIs in the win.

Jonathan Schoop went 1 for 1 with a double, one run, and one RBI for the Tigers. Miguel Cabrera added a double and one RBI.

ON THE MOUND

Hogan Harris (2-2, 5.17 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Oakland. The LHP allowed five runs (four earned) over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 10-4 road defeat against the Yankees on June 29.

He took the loss, scattering nine hits while striking out two and walking two. For Detroit, RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-6, 4.28 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Athletics.

Lorenzen made four appearances against the Athletics in 2022, all as the starter, striking out 23 and walking nine over 24 innings (3-0, 0.38).

In his last start on Friday, Lorenzen took the loss on the road against the Rockies. He threw five innings and gave up five runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking one in the 8-5 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Oakland has averaged 6.8 runs a game, up from their season average of 3.6, while slashing better across the board (.263/.316/.453). Against right-handed pitchers like Lorenzen this season, the A’s have a .641 OPS, the lowest in MLB.

Ryan Noda is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .792 OPS in 211 at-bats. Detroit is averaging 5.2 runs per game in the last five, up from 3.9 for the season, with a stronger slugging percentage (.415 vs .366).

The Tigers have a .699 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a .806 OPS over 72 at-bats, Spencer Torkelson has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Oakland is 13-31 away from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in 2023, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 6.5 runs. Detroit has lost three in a row at their home ballpark.

The Tigers are 18-23 at home this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 5.1. In the last 10 games between the teams at Comerica Park, Oakland is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 5.6-3.0.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 26 games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Tigers are third in the AL Central, six games behind the Twins.