The American League is certainly not at peak performance this season, with some disappointing records all around from various clubs. After a recent hot stretch, the Houston Astros are now in position for a Wild Card berth, though the postseason is still a very long ways. away. Today, they start a three-game set on the road in Detroit against another struggling squad, the Tigers.

Here’s a betting prediction and pick for this Astros vs. Tigers matchup courtesy of MLB odds and lines on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Astros vs. Tigers prediction, preview

Houston Astros

It seemed like the Astros were destined to hang around the bottom of the MLB for a decent chunk of this season so far. After all, they were riddled by injuries for some time and are still below .500 at the moment as well. However, they’re now in a Wild Card spot amidst a weak AL even with a 40-43 record fueled by a 7-3 surge over their last 10 games. Yes, the run differential on the campaign remains quite poor at -38, but they’re averaging 4.48 runs a night and the pitching staff is both getting healthier and improving somewhat. Houston’s .726 OPS ranks 13th on a slash line of .242/.316/.410. Tonight, the club faces a right-hander after slashing a nearly identical .243/.319/.409 with a .728 OPS in the split. The Astros have a .168 ISO that sits fifth in the MLB, and much of their power success has come against such right-handers, hitting 80 of their 108 dingers in the split. They also have an 8.9% BB% with a 21.7% K% on the year.

The Astros send RHP Spencer Arrighetti to the mount for his 13th start after going 7-3 thus far. He has a 3.13 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and 68 strikeouts across 69.0 IP. However, he’s allowed 17 earned runs in four starts this month after giving up just five in his first eight appearances of the year. The bullpen behind him sits 23rd in ERA this season, but ranks fifth in June with a 2.90 mark to complement a 1.14 WHIP and 18.8% K-BB% this month.

Detroit Tigers

Two years ago, the Tigers actually downed the Astros in the Wild Card. Last season, Detroit made the postseason once more. Now, such an outcome could prove more difficult since the club will have to scrap its way there from a 34-47 record. They’re just 5-5 in their last 10 games while coming off three straight losses as well, but the run differential of -7 on the year isn’t all that bad. The Tigers average just 4.01 runs per game, tied for fourth fewest in the MLB, while the OPS of .704 falls 22nd. The bats slash .234/.313/.391 overall with a .156 ISO that comes in at 15th. They do have a slightly improved line of .238/.310/.398 for a .708 OPS against right-handers like they face tonight, plus 68 of their 88 home runs have occurred in the split. The club does maintain a 9.6% BB% that’s one of the better in the sport, but a 23.2% K% is also ninth highest of any team.

RHP Keider Montero draws the start for Detroit this evening. He brings a 3-5 record through 15 outings (14 starts) with a 3.68 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He lacks strikeouts though, producing only 53 in 80.2 IP. Detroit’s bullpen is second in ERA this month at 2.52, sitting at 3.85 on the season with a 1.33 WHIP and 12.6% K-BB%.

Astros vs. Tigers pick, best bet

DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Tigers as -114 home favorites on the Moneyline tonight. The Astros are slight underdogs with -105 odds to win outright. The total sits at nine combined runs this evening.

Best Bet: Under nine runs (-111)

It’s interesting to see the total set a little bit high tonight. Even with Arrighetti allowing at least three runs in each of his last four starts, he’s still been pretty great at limiting damage this season and Montero is also quite good in that regard. So, you get two starters with some quality ERAs, backed by two bullpens that are in form this month, all at one of the least hitter-friendly parks in the MLB. That sounds like prime conditions for the under to hit, frankly. Really, it’s that simple!