Tigers vs Cardinals: Game 2 prediction, odds, injuries and picks

Sitting atop the AL Central, the Detroit Tigers will face the St. Louis Cardinals for the second of three games on Tuesday

Detroit has been superb, boasting the best record in all of the majors with 31 wins and only 17 losses. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are second in the NL Central with a 27-21 record, and won against visitors during Monday's series opener 11-4.

Let's take a look at the odds for Tuesday's game, and a prediction of how things might play out.

Tigers vs Cardinals prediction:

Starting for Detroit is ace Tarik Skubal, who is enjoying another strong season after winning the AL Cy Young award in 2024. Skubal boasts a 4-2 record, along with a 2.67 ERA and 71 strikeouts. However, he comes into Tuesday's matchup after enduring an outing to forget against the Red Sox on Wednesday, as he conceded five earned runs.

In terms of hitters, Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter are ones to watch for the visitors.

Erick Fedde gets the nod for St. Louis. He has been solid this season, with a 3-3 record, 3.44 ERA and 32 strikeouts. The last time he took the mound against the Phillies on May 13, he gave up zero earned runs in 5.2 innings.

From a hitting standpoint, Ivan Herrera, Alec Burleson and Brendan Donovan have impressed for the Cardinals this season.

The hosts will be motivated to register another win to clinch the series and close the division gap on the Chicago Cubs. However, it won't be easy as Detroit will find a way to level the series, aided by a strong performance from Skubal.

Prediction: Detroit Tigers 4, St. Louis Cardinals 2

Odds:

Moneyline: Detroit Tigers -185, St. Louis Cardinals +155

Run Line: Detroit Tigers -1.5 (-119), St. Louis Cardinals +1.5 (-111)

Total Runs: Over 8.5 (+122), Under 8.5 (-164)

Injury report:

Detroit injuries:

Jake Rogers (C): 10-day IL (Oblique)

Matt Vierling (OF): 10-day IL (Shoulder)

Casey Mize (RHP): 15-day IL (Hamstring)

Reese Olson (RHP): 15-day IL (Finger)

Alex Cobb (RHP): 15-day IL (Hip)

Alex Lange (RHP): 60-day IL (Lat)

Ty Madden (RHP): 60-day IL (Shoulder)

Jose Urquidy (RHP): 60-day IL (Elbow)

Sawyer Gipson-Long (RHP): 60-day IL (Hip)

Wenceel Perez (OF): 60-day IL (Spine)

Parker Meadows (OF): 60-day IL (Arm)

St. Louis Cardinals injuries:

Zack Thompson (LHP): 60-day IL (Lat)

Expert's picks

Although the Cardinals won the series opener, Tarik Skubal starts often coincide with wins for Detroit, and that trend should continue on Tuesday.

Money Line: Detroit Tigers (-185)

Run Line: Detroit Tigers -1.5 (-119)

Total Runs: Under 8.5 (-164)

About the author

Raghav Mehta is a baseball journalist at Sportskeeda awaiting results for a Bachelor's in Journalism from Delhi University. He enjoys highlighting the key battles between players at different stages of the game and analyzing the decisive moments upon which they hinge.

One of Raghav's favorite moments, which underscores this, was the Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout clash in the 2023 WBC, where two of baseball's best players faced off against each other in the 9th inning. With the score 3-2 to Japan, Shohei eventually got the strikeout, which was absolute cinema.

Raghav is a Baltimore Orioles fan and is enjoying watching such an exciting young team compete at the top in a very competitive division.

Raghav has loved watching sports for as long as he can remember and realized he was pretty decent at writing his thoughts down at around the age of 14. Combining the two meant he had something he would enjoy doing every day, and he had identified that well before going to college.

Aside from work, Raghav enjoys playing sports, working out and watching movies.

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Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez

Tigers vs Cardinals: Game 2 prediction, odds, injuries and picks - May 20, 2025