T.M. Selection: Detroit Tigers.

I like the Detroit Tigers to win this 1st game of the double header on Thursday against the Oakland Athletics. The Tigers haven't looked good in their games lately, losing 4 games in a row before the All Star break came around. They were on a bit of a hot streak just before that, winning a lot of games and putting up a ton of runs in those, but they haven't looked as good lately and their offense has cooled off. I think they are going to bounce back here though and I think this is a great spot in this double header with the A's who have been terrible all year. The A's had some momentum going into the break winning their series against the Astros, but with the dew days off now they have definitely lost that moment and they have been a much worse team in their own ballpark this year. They are barely scraping over the 10 win mark in their own ballpark and they also have pretty much the worst offense in the league. Tarik Skubal (6-8, 4.11 ERA) is up for the Tigers here and I think he is going to shut down the A's offense here. He has been their guy this year and I think they have a better chance in this 1st game with him pitching. He has looked a bit shaky lately but has still showed flashes of the guy he was at the beginning of the year and I'm expecting him to bounce back with a better performance after this extended break for him. Zach Logue (3-4, 5.16 ERA) is up for the A's here and he has been terrible all year, I think he is just what the Tigers offense needs to spark and put up some runs here. They were very hot over a week ago and it doesn't take much to get them going again with a rookie pitcher here who has been giving up a ton of runs lately. He has not lasted long in his 3 most recent starts, giving up a ton of runs in all of those, and I see him giving up a ton of runs again here. I like the Tigers to win this 1st game of the double header on Thursday.

T.M. Prediction: 4-1 Tigers.