Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox Prediction, Sunday, September 28, 2025
Use Code WWWC In this Tigers at Red Sox prediction, the Tigers and Red Sox, both bound for the American League playoffs, will wrap up the regular season on Sunday. The Tigers clinched at least a wildcard spot with a win on Saturday. They could still win the division with a victory on Sunday, coupled with a Guardians’ loss. The Red Sox earned a wildcard spot with a win on Friday night over the Tigers. They could end up with the second or third wildcard spot, depending on Sunday’s outcome. The pitching matchup on Sunday is still not fully decided. The Tigers will go with righty Chris Paddock (5-11, 5.27) while Boston has not yet named a starter and will likely utilize several pitchers not expected to play a key role in round one of the playoffs. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:15 PM EST. Read on for more in this Tigers/Red Sox prediction, and grab our top MLB predictions to increase your bankroll!
Tigers breathe a sigh of relief
With their win on Saturday in Boston, the Tigers avoided what would have been a monumental collapse in 2025 and at least guaranteed themselves a playoff spot. The Tigers led the Guardians by over 10 games in September but blew the lead entirely. On Saturday, the Tigers pulled out a 2-1 win over Boston thanks to a Jamhai Jones two-run single in the fifth inning to erase a 1-0 deficit. The Tigers’ bullpen pitched 4.2 innings of shutout baseball to earn the team its second straight trip to the postseason.
The Tigers’ win on Saturday has allowed the team to avoid having to use Cy Young-favorite Tyreek Skubal on Sunday and save him for game one of the playoffs. They’ll now turn to trade deadline pickup Chris Paddock. Paddock has been used exclusively out of the bullpen over his last five appearances. He last pitched on September 19th, going five innings against the Braves. Expect him to give the Tigers four to five innings here, with the team possibly utilizing some key pitchers to prepare them for the playoffs for no more than an inning on Sunday.
Key Injuries: SP Reese Olson and 2B Colt Keith are out.
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Red Sox playoff ticket booked
One night after clinching the team’s first playoff appearance since 2021, the Red Sox sleepwalked through a 2-1 loss to the Tigers on Saturday. The Red Sox managed just seven hits in the game and were shut out over the game’s final seven innings. Rookie lefty Connelly Early was effective, allowing just four hits and two runs while striking out seven in five innings of work. The Red Sox now wrap up the regular season on Sunday at home. They will either be the second wildcard seed or the third, depending upon the outcome of the game.
The Red Sox, after clinching a spot on Friday night, can avoid using one of their top three pitchers on Sunday afternoon. Manager Alex Cora has yet to announce a starter for Sunday, but you can expect the game to feature plenty of pitchers who won’t factor into round one of the playoffs. The Red Sox currently have 14 pitchers on the active roster, but don’t expect to see the likes of Garrett Crochet, Brayon Bello, or Lucas Giolito on Sunday. Lefty Chris Murphy will get some time on the mound on Sunday, as will righty Zack Kelly. Cora will mix and match his pitchers and avoid using key members of his bullpen.
Key Injuries: SP Dustin May is out.
Tigers at Red Sox
Money line Pick for Tigers at Red Sox
- Tigers ML (4 units)
The motivation for both teams should be fascinating on Sunday. If the Tigers lose, they’ll end with the third wildcard seed and open on the road against the third-seed division winner, which would be Cleveland. If the Tigers win, they will, at worst, be the second seed in the wildcard race. At best, they would claim the AL Central Division with a Guardians’ loss. The Red Sox will be the #2 wildcard seed with a win, and face the loser of the Blue Jays/Yankees division battle. If the Sox lose, they’ll be the #3 wildcard team and play either the Tigers or Guardians, depending on which team wins the division. With that in mind, the motivation seems to favor the Tigers. They can still win the division and earn home-field advantage in round one. The Red Sox are going to be on the road, regardless. The prospect of playing the Yankees or Blue Jays vs. the Tigers or Guardians could decide the Sox's efforts. I’m banking on the Red Sox being more than happy to be the #3rd wildcard team.
Take the Tigers with the money line.
Over/Under Pick for Tigers vs. Red Sox
- Under (4 units)
The first two games of this series were low scoring, with both games going under the total. I expect a similar fate on Sunday as the teams consider whether or not they want to face the AL East wildcard team or potentially win their division and earn home-field advantage in round one. I think this game will stay well below the number as both teams shuffle players in and out of the lineup.
Take the Under.
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