Chicago Cubs vs Detroit Tigers Pick – 6/8/2025

As June heats up, the Detroit Tigers (42-24) host the Chicago Cubs (40-24) in a pivotal Interleague matchup at Comerica Park on June 8, 2025. Both teams are enjoying strong seasons, but they are coming off contrasting results in their last outing. The Cubs topped the Tigers 6-1 on June 7, showcasing their potent offense, which ranks 4th in MLB this season.

On the mound, the Tigers will send Jack Flaherty to the hill. Despite a 4-6 record and a power ranking of 60th among starting pitchers, Flaherty has shown flashes of brilliance, exemplified by his last start where he allowed just 1 earned run over 6 innings. He boasts a respectable ERA of 3.72 and projects to strike out an average of 6.2 batters today. However, he is vulnerable to the long ball, which could pose issues against a Cubs lineup that has belted 88 home runs this season, ranking 5th in MLB.

Cade Horton, set to start for the Cubs, has recorded a perfect 3-0 record this year, though his projections suggest he is a below-average pitcher. His ERA stands at 4.21, and he is anticipated to struggle against a Tigers offense that, while ranking 9th in home runs, also leads MLB with a high strikeout rate.

Both teams show strengths and weaknesses, but the Tigers’ strong bullpen, ranked 3rd in MLB, could provide a significant edge. With an implied team total of 4.50 runs, the Tigers are favored to exploit the Cubs’ struggling bullpen, ranked 26th. As June progresses, this matchup is crucial not just for standings but for momentum heading into the summer months.

Quick Takes Chicago Cubs:

Michael Busch is penciled in 6th on the lineup card in this game, which would be a downgrade from his 86% rate of hitting in the top-half of the lineup this season.

• The lower in the order a player bats, the fewer plate appearances he will get and the fewer opportunities he will get to hit the Over for every market. A player who hits lower in the order than he normally does may provide extra value opportunity since the market may be based on him hitting higher.

The Chicago Cubs bullpen ranks as the 6th-worst in MLB, per the leading projection system (THE BAT).

• Most bettors only consider the starting pitcher, but a weak bullpen sneakily creates an easier matchup for the opposing offense and boosts a game's runs.

Quick Takes Detroit Tigers:

Jack Flaherty's fastball velocity has dropped 1.2 mph this season (92.1 mph) below where it was last season (93.3 mph).

• Velocity is a key component to fastball success in generating strikeouts and preventing runs, so a pitcher whose velocity decreases will likely see worse results.

Trey Sweeney has been cold lately, with his seasonal exit velocity of 87.9-mph dropping to 85.2-mph over the last 14 days.

• Hitting the ball hard increases the chances of either a home run or the ball landing in fair territory for a hit before a fielder can get to it.

Parker Meadows hits a high percentage of his flyballs to center field (40% — 97th percentile) and will be challenged by the game's 2nd-deepest CF fences in today's game.

• This player's skill set does not match up particularly well with the park he's in today, which may lead to worse-than-usual performance.

Game Trends

• The Detroit Tigers have hit the Moneyline in 41 of their last 62 games (+15.00 Units / 16% ROI)
• The Chicago Cubs have hit the Moneyline in 32 of their last 51 games (+8.60 Units / 11% ROI)
• Ian Happ has hit the Hits Over in 16 of his last 20 away games (+8.50 Units / 22% ROI)

Chicago Cubs vs Detroit Tigers Prediction

Predicted Final Score: Chicago Cubs 4.53, Detroit Tigers 4.24

• Date: June 8, 2025
• Venue: Comerica Park
• Starting Pitchers:
  • Cade Horton - Cubs
  • Jack Flaherty - Tigers

For more on today's game check out the comprehensive statistics, betting odds, and trends below. Be sure to check out all our free MLB picks here.