All eyes will be on Tarik Skubal as he starts what could be his last year with the Detroit Tigers, and he’ll have the San Diego Padres in his sights in today’s season opener.
It’s a heavyweight pitching matchup at Petco Park as Skubal and Nick Pivetta square off, and my Tigers vs. Padres predictions expect Detroit’s ace to pave the way to a road victory.
Take a closer look at this March 26 clash with my free MLB picks.
Tigers vs Padres predictions
Tigers vs Padres best bet: Tigers moneyline (-134)
After the Detroit Tigers’ late-season collapse last year, it’s easy to forget their scorching 29-15 start. I see Detroit flying out of the traps again here.
Tarik Skubal, coming off a 2.21 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 2025, should love the pitcher-friendly conditions at Petco Park.
The visitors are 4-1 SU in their past five season openers, and their two-time Cy Young winner has shown that his stuff travels (2.30 ERA on the road last season).
While the San Diego Padres had a strong home record last year, changes in the clubhouse — including new manager Craig Stammen — may take time to pay off.
COVERS INTEL: Skubal posted an ultra-stingy 1.77 ERA in day games last season, and he allowed just five home runs in 76 1/3 innings across those outings.
Tigers vs Padres same-game parlay (SGP)
The Under was 44-34-3 in San Diego’s home games in 2025, and this feels like another pitching duel.
Nick Pivetta is looking to prove his 2.87 ERA last season was legit, and the Tigers’ strikeout-heavy lineup can lurch from feast to famine within the same game.
The Padres’ big bats were quiet in their final few Spring Training outings, and Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado — coming off WBC action — are among the hitters who’ve never faced Skubal.
I’m also backing Riley Greene’s bat to make an impact. He racked up a career-high 155 hits in 2025.
Tigers vs Padres SGP
- Tigers moneyline
- Under 7
- Riley Greene Over 0.5 hits
Tigers vs Padres home run pick: Riley Greene (+360)
I’ll double down on Greene for the HR prop, too.
He crushed 36 dingers last season, with 32 of those coming off righties. That’ll put Pivetta under pressure here, and the Detroit slugger hit more homers on the road than at home in 2025.
Petco Park isn’t the easiest place to nail the long ball, but Greene’s power overrides that.
Tigers vs Padres odds
- Moneyline: Detroit -134 | San Diego +114
- Run line: Detroit -1.5 | San Diego +1.5
- Over/Under: Over 7 | Under 7
Tigers vs Padres trend
The Padres have hit the Under in 80 of their last 143 games (+13.65 Units / 9% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Tigers vs. Padres.
How to watch Tigers vs Padres and game info
| Location | Petco Park, San Diego, CA |
| Date | Thursday, March 26, 2026 |
| First pitch | 4:10 p.m. ET |
| TV | Detroit SportsNet, Padres TV |
| Tigers starting pitcher | Tarik Skubal (2025: 13-6, 2.21 ERA) |
| Padres starting pitcher | Nick Pivetta (2025: 13-5, 2.87 ERA) |
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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