Detroit Tigers vs Chicago Cubs Prediction 7/21/2026 Today’s MLB Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Jul 20, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki (27) loses his helmet after being picked off on a steal during the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Detroit Tigers
Chicago Cubs
Team Records
47-53
56-44
Spread
+1.5 -205
-1.5 168
Moneyline
+101
-122
Total
Over 8 (-106)
Under 8 (-113)
Where
Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
When
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time
08:05 PM EDT
TV
MLB.TV
The Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs meet Tuesday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago Cubs prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Detroit Tigers will send out Framber Valdez here and Valdez is 5-6 with a 4.10 ERA and 87 strikeouts this season. David Peterson will start for the Cubs and is 4-7 with a 6.45 ERA and 70 strikeouts this season.
Detroit Tigers Recap
The Detroit Tigers come into this game looking to add on to their 8-6 win over the Cubs from Monday’s opener to improve to 47-53 this season. After this series, the Tigers will take on the Royals in a series at home.
Tigers Win 3 Of Last 4
Riley Greene has 103 hits with 20 doubles, 15 home runs and 50 RBIs while Kevin McGonigle has 103 hits with 20 doubles, 3 triples, 9 home runs and 35 RBIs. Spencer Torkelson’s added 70 hits with 18 doubles, 18 home runs and 49 RBIs and Dillon Dingler has 91 hits with 20 doubles, 21 home runs and 63 RBIs this season. Colt Keith’s added 67 hits with 10 doubles and 24 RBIs and Matt Vierling has 51 hits with 12 doubles, 5 home runs and 30 RBIs.
Chicago Cubs Recap
The Chicago Cubs come into this game looking to bounce back from their loss at the hands of the Tigers to sit at 56-44 this season. After this series, the Cubs will head on the road for a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cubs Have Two-Game Win Streak Snapped
Ian Happ has 77 hits with 17 doubles and 18 home runs and 44 RBIs while Alex Bregman has 93 hits with 15 doubles, a triple, 10 home runs and 43 RBIs. Nico Hoerner’s added 97 hits with 23 doubles, 4 home runs and 43 RBIs and Moises Ballesteros has 36 hits with 6 home runs and 23 RBIs. Pete Crow-Armstrong’s also added 105 hits with 16 doubles, 4 triples, 21 home runs and 53 RBIs as well on the year. Carson Kelly has also contributed 61 hits with 10 doubles, 6 home runs and 33 RBIs. Michael Busch has 89 hits wtih 17 doubles, 13 home runs and 53 RBIs. Dansby Swanson also has 69 hits with 16 home runs and 58 RBIs.
Detroit Tigers @ the Chicago Cubs Betting Trends: July 21, 2026
Probable Starting Pitcher: David Peterson Record this season: 4-7 ERA: 6.45
Home Record: 1-4
Last 5 against Tigers: –
Why the Chicago Cubs will win
The Tigers have lost each of their last seven games against the Cubs following a win.
The Cubs have won each of their last six games against the Tigers following a loss.
The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last six games against the Tigers following a loss.
The Tigers have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against NL Central opponents following a win.
The Cubs have won the first inning in five of their last six games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
The Tigers have trailed after 5 innings in eight of their last 10 games as underdogs against National League opponents.
The Tigers have trailed after 3 innings in seven of their last nine games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
Probable Starting Pitcher: Framber Valdez Record this season: 5-6 ERA: 4.10
Road Record: 1-3
Last 5 against Cubs: 1-0
Why the Detroit Tigers will win
The Tigers have won each of their last four games as underdogs following an extra innings win.
The Cubs have lost eight of their last 12 games as home favorites against American League opponents.
The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven night games after going to extra innings.
The Tigers have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 games as underdogs following an extra innings win.
The Tigers have led after 3 innings in seven of their last eight games at Wrigley Field.
The Tigers have won the first inning in each of their last three games.
The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four night games.
Total Runs Facts
Each of the Tigers’ last five games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
Each of the last three games between the Tigers and Cubs at Wrigley Field have gone OVER the total runs line.
There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Cubs’ last seven games against AL Central opponents.
There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of Framber Valdez’s last six appearances as a starter.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
Michael Busch has hit a home run in each of the Cubs’ last two games as favorites against the Tigers.
David Peterson has recorded five or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
Michael Busch has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last 10 home games against AL opponents.
Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks T4th in the league in Steals (25) this season.
Detroit Tigers Player Prop Facts
Spencer Torkelson has hit a home run in five of the Tigers’ last six games against NL Central opponents.
Framber Valdez has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last 12 appearances with his team as a road underdog.
Riley Greene has recorded at least one hit in each of the Tigers’ last 10 road games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
Framber Valdez has recorded a win in five of his six previous appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
Kevin McGonigle ranks 7th amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.391) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (436).
The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (436).
The Tigers rank 30th in the league for steals this season (33).
The Tigers rank 30th in the league for steals this season (33).
Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction
I’m on the Tigers here. I get the case to be made for either side in this game, but the Tigers are the team I have more faith in right now as Detroit’s got Valdez going here and while Chicago’s done well against lefties over the last month, I think that the Tigers can have more success against Peterson and the Cubs’ bullpen. I’ll roll with the Tigers here.
