Los Angeles Dodgers vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Prediction for Friday August 28 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers travel to Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, to face the Detroit Tigers on Friday, August 28, 2026. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET, with coverage on MLB.TV. Los Angeles enters at 80-53 overall and 40-27 on the road, while Detroit is 62-71 overall and 33-33 at home. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Before placing any wagers, check out our free MLB picks for more baseball predictions and analysis.
Starting Pitchers
Los Angeles is expected to start Tarik Skubal, who enters at 8-7 with a 2.91 ERA and 0.95 WHIP across 120.2 innings. He has allowed 94 hits while striking out 146 and walking only 21. Detroit is expected to counter with Drew Anderson, who is 4-5 with a 4.09 ERA and 1.29 WHIP through 81.1 innings. He has allowed 75 hits while recording 91 strikeouts and 30 walks. The starting-pitching advantage clearly leans toward Los Angeles based on the season numbers provided.
Dodgers Look to End a Short Losing Skid
Los Angeles enters Friday at 80-53 after losing its last two games in Atlanta, falling 4-3 and 6-5. Before those setbacks, the Dodgers had won three straight against Pittsburgh, including a 4-0 shutout and a pair of one-run victories.
The Dodgers are batting .259 as a team with 661 runs, 1,160 hits and 168 home runs. They own a .336 on-base percentage and .426 slugging percentage. On the mound, Los Angeles has posted a 3.69 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, while opponents are hitting just .219.
The biggest strength remains overall balance. Los Angeles owns the better batting average, scores more runs, gets on base more frequently and limits opposing hitters more effectively. Even after dropping two straight, the full-season profile still makes the Dodgers the stronger side entering this matchup.
Tigers Trying to Find Offensive Consistency
Detroit comes in at 62-71 after losing 3-0 to Tampa Bay on Wednesday. The Tigers are just 1-4 over their last five games, with their lone victory coming in a 4-1 win over the Rays. They have scored one run or fewer in three of those five contests.
Detroit is batting .240 with 592 runs, 1,075 hits and 155 home runs. The Tigers own a .316 on-base percentage and .401 slugging percentage. Their pitching staff has been respectable overall with a 3.60 ERA and 1.22 WHIP, while opponents are batting .232.
The concern is the offense. Detroit has struggled to sustain scoring recently, and that becomes a bigger issue against a visiting starter carrying a sub-3.00 ERA and elite 0.95 WHIP. The Tigers may need their own pitching staff to keep this game close if the offense continues to sputter.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Detroit Tigers Picks and Prediction
Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers Moneyline
Los Angeles is the side pick. The Dodgers hold the stronger offensive profile and also bring the better starting-pitcher numbers into this matchup. Detroit's recent offensive inconsistency is difficult to overlook, especially with only one win in its last five games. Los Angeles has also been much more productive over the full season and owns a winning road record. Take the Los Angeles Dodgers moneyline.
Pick: Under 8.5
The total isn't available at the time of writing, but take the Under if the number is set at 8.5. Los Angeles brings an excellent starting-pitcher profile into this matchup, while Detroit has scored three total runs across its last three games. The Tigers' season-long pitching numbers are also solid enough to keep the Dodgers from running away with the game immediately. A lower-scoring matchup makes sense here, especially if both starters pitch near their season norms.
Final Picks: Los Angeles Dodgers Moneyline and Under 8.5 if available.
This preview was completed before game play Thursday. Starting pitchers, betting lines and other game information are subject to change before the game begins.