The lengthy MLB season can cause some games to get lost in the shuffle, but MLB.TV provides fans with a Free Game of the Day throughout the regular season that can also be seen on FanDuel TV+ here, or also available on Apple TV, Roku, Android TV, Fire TV, and FanDuel Sportsbook.

Why not add to the viewing excitement by getting in on the MLB odds over at FanDuel Sportsbook?

For this article, we've got you covered with a betting guide for each Free Game of the Day. With that, let's take a look at some of the best bets for today's free game.

Note: Lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All stats come from FanGraphs and Baseball Savant unless noted otherwise. Please check here to make sure you're seeing the most updated projections.

MLB Betting Picks

Pirates vs. Tigers Betting Odds: Spread, Total, and Moneyline

• Time: 12:40 p.m. ET
• Spread: Tigers: -1.5 (+152)
• Total: 6.5
• Moneyline:
  • Pirates: +124
  • Tigers: -146

Best Bet

Pirates Under 2.5 Runs (+122)

Today's Free Game of the Day features the first match of a doubleheader between the Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Tarik Skubal will be on the bump for Detroit, which helps explain the slate-low over/under for this one.

Skubal has come into full form for the Tigers this season after a shortened breakout campaign in 2023. Through 10 starts, he owns a dominant 2.25 ERA (eighth-best), 2.42 xERA (third), 2.55 xFIP (fifth), and 2.59 SIERA (fourth), making him one of the most shutdown pitchers in baseball.

He's paired those top-of-the-league metrics with a staggering 0.85 WHIP (second) and a 31.2% K% (seventh). Detroit's young ace enters the day with +270 AL Cy Young Odds (shortest) and should continue to build his case against a lacking Pittsburgh lineup.

While the Pirates sport better overall numbers against left-handed pitchers, that isn't saying much. They are generating a .238 BA (18th), .315 OBP (17th), 25.3% K% (3rd-highest) versus this handedness.

Pittsburgh hasn't been great on the road, either. The team is producing a .229 BA (23rd), .349 SLG (27th), .119 ISO (24th), and 91 wRC+ (21st) in away battles.

Skubal has maintained 0.60 HR/9 (10th-best) this season and could be protected from the long ball against a Pirates group that is averaging just 0.93 home runs per game (20th).

Yesterday's weather-related postponement will leave the Tigers with a fresh bullpen for this contest. Detroit has limited opposing teams to under 2.5 runs in 6 out of 10 games where Skubal led things off. The Pirates, meanwhile, have scored under 2.5 runs in 19 of their last 37 games (51.4% of contests).

With +122 odds available (45.1% implied probability), it could be worthwhile to back a quiet start for Pittsburgh's first of two games.

Best Prop

Tarik Skubal 8+ Strikeouts (+126)

Entering the day, Skubal is rocking with a resounding 31.2% K% and 10.80 K/9. Opponents are chasing him at a 38.5% rate (third-highest) while he's generating the third-highest CSW% in MLB.

As mentioned, the Pirates are one of the more strikeout-prone teams in the league. On the season, they own a 24.9% K% (sixth-highest). That clip rises to a 25.3% K% (third-highest) against left-handed pitchers and balloons even more on the road with a 26.1% K%.

Skubal has faced only two teams (Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics) that are striking out above a 23.5% rate against lefties, though both of these matchups resulted in a nine-strikeout outing for Detroit's leading man.

FanDuel Research's projections are bullish on targeting the alt strikeout market, too. They anticipate Skubal to punch out 9.15 batters this afternoon.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.