Boston Red Sox (13-21) vs. Detroit Tigers (18-17) May 4, 2026 6:40 pm EDT The Line: Detroit Tigers -240 / Boston Red Sox 194; Over/Under: 7 (Get latest betting odds)
In this article, we will formulate a Red Sox vs Tigers Prediction for this MLB matchup on Monday, May 4 th in the opening game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
The Detroit Tigers have a 18-17 record this season and are sitting in the first place of the AL Central. They have a 12-3 home record and are coming off a 7-1 home win against the Rangers. Their previous three games were a 5-1 win and a 4-5 loss at home against the Rangers, and a 5-2 win on the road against the Braves .
The Tigers have a .251 batting average this season, .332 OBP and .407 Slugging percentage. Detroit’s pitching staff has a 3.81 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. Kevin McGonigle is the team’s best hitter with a .315 batting average. Dillon Dingler leads the team in RBI with 23, and Kerry Carpenter adds a team‑high 6 home runs.
Tarik Skubal (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Tigers, and he has a 3-2 record, 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP.
The Boston Red Sox have a 13-21 record this season and are sitting in the fifth place of the AL East. They have a 7-11 away record and are coming off a 1-3 home loss against the Astros. Their previous three games were a 3-6 loss and a 3-1 win at home against the Astros, and a 1-8 loss on the road against the Blue Jays .
The Red Sox have a .235 batting average this season, .315 OBP and .353 Slugging percentage. Boston’s pitching staff has a 4.24 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. Wilyer Abreu is the team’s best hitter with a .298 batting average. Willson Contreras leads the team in RBI with 21, also adding a team‑high 7 home runs.
Payton Tolle (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Red Sox, and he has a 0-1 record, 3.38 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.
Both teams are tied 4-4 in their last 8 meetings but the Tigers have won their last three meetings in Detroit, but only one of them by multiple runs.
In this Red Sox vs Tigers Prediction, the Tigers are coming as -245 home favorites. The Tigers were playing Sunday night baseball and are now huge -245 favorites at home with Skubal on the mound, who has given up six runs in his last two starts and has been weaker at home with a 3.55 home ERA. Boston has a better bullpen and Detroit is weaker against lefties and Tolle has been looking good in his two start this season, so I expect the Red Sox to keep this one close. Take the Red Sox by +1.5 runs in this one.