Best Bets, Splits & How to Watch Cardinals vs Tigers

Published: April 3, 2026 at 10:10 am EDT

The St. Louis Cardinals celebrate a walk-off victory over the Mets. — Apr 1, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) is mobbed by teammates after hitting a walk-off one run single against the New York Mets during the eleventh inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

The Cardinals are +154 road underdogs versus the Tigers on Friday
Michael McGreevy (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gets the ball for St. Louis, while Detroit counters with Framber Valdez (0-0, 1.50 ERA)
My best bets, betting splits and how to watch the Cardinals vs Tigers matchup can be found below.

The Cardinals and Tigers open up a three-game set on Friday afternoon, with Detroit earning favorite status in the latest MLB odds.

St. Louis enters this early-season matchup boasting a strong 4-2 record, looking to build off back-to-back victories. The Tigers meanwhile, are looking to snap a four-game losing streak, and will trust newcomer Framber Valdez to right the ship.

Below, you’ll find my best bets for the Cardinals vs Tigers matchup, along with the betting splits and how to watch this interleague contest.

How to Watch Cardinals vs Tigers

First pitch is set for 1:10 pm ET from Comerica Park, in Detroit, Michigan, and on MLB. TV. The forecast is projected to be absolutely perfect for daytime baseball, with sunshine and 70 degree temperatures expected.

Cardinals vs Tigers Best Bets

St. Louis Cardinals Moneyline (+154 at FanDuel)
Under 8 Runs (-110 at Bet365)

My analysis points toward a Cardinals upset on Friday, in a low-scoring affair. Both starting pitchers were sharp in their season debuts, while Detroit’s offensive struggles are impossible to ignore.

Michael McGreevy vs Framber Valdez 2026 Stats

Pitcher	W-L	ERA	WHIP	FIP	xFIP	K/9	BB/9	OBA
Michael McGreevy (Cardinals)	0-0	0.00	0.33	3.50	4.69	7.50	3.00	.000
Framber Valdez (Tigers)	0-0	1.50	1.33	2.00	3.46	7.50	1.50	.292

Michael McGreevy opened his 2026 campaign with a flawless stretch, holding the Rays to zero hits and no runs over 6 innings. On the other side, Cy Young odds candidate Framber Valdez allowed only one run over 6 innings versus the Padres, striking out 5.

The most noticeable divide between these two squads lies in their offensive output and contact quality. The Cardinals have enjoyed a much more productive start at the plate, generating 4.83 runs per game. This is fueled by their ability to strike the ball with authority; their 88.3 mph average exit velocity dwarfs the sluggish 85.9 mph mark from the Tigers.

Consequently, the Cardinals boast the ninth highest scoring lineup, taking advantage of consistent RBI opportunities. The Tigers have scuffled out of the gate, posting a bottom-tier .596 OPS.

Detroit has been able to stay competitive thanks to its pitching. Tigers hurlers have compiled a steady 3.78 team ERA, limiting opponents to exactly 4.00 runs per game. With McGreevy neutralizing the struggling Detroit hitters on the other side and Valdez keeping the St. Louis bats in check runs will be at an absolute premium. Give me the value on the underdogs, and under 8 Runs.

Cardinals vs Tigers Odds

As of Thursday night, the best place to bet the Cardinals moneyline and the under vary. FanDuel has the best price on a St. Louis upset at +154, while Bet365 is offering an 8 run total, which is half a run higher than the rest of the market.

Odds as of April 2nd. Claim the bet365 bonus code to bet on MLB this weekend.

Cardinals vs Tigers Betting Splits

The betting markets have established the Tigers as heavy home favorites, pricing them at -170 on the moneyline. Removing the standard sportsbook vig, this valuation gives the Tigers a 62.9% implied probability of securing the victory, while the Cardinals sit at +154 with a 37.1% win probability.

Despite the Cardinals’ flawless record as underdogs this season, MLB public betting circles are showing significant respect to Valdez and the home-field advantage. The early moneyline action is overwhelmingly in favor of Detroit, as the home team is drawing 83% of the tickets and 86% of the handle. That action doesn’t faze me though, as I’m happy to take a stand with a team I believe is being significantly undervalued.

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Chris Amberley

Sports Writer

As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.

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