Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Detroit Tigers Prediction – August 28, 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers make the trip to Detroit to face the Tigers on August 28, 2026, in an interleague matchup that pits one of baseball's premier organizations against a Tigers squad looking to pull off an upset at home. WP Baseball Predictor has crunched the numbers and landed on the Dodgers moneyline as its top selection, assigning Los Angeles a 67.7% win probability against Detroit's 32.3%. Here's everything you need to know before first pitch.
Starting Pitcher Matchup: Skubal vs. Anderson
The storyline of this game begins and ends on the mound, and it's a fascinating one — particularly because the Dodgers are sending out a pitcher not currently on their own roster.
Tarik Skubal (Dodgers) – xFIP 2.69
Tarik Skubal takes the ball for Los Angeles and brings with him one of the most impressive xFIP marks you'll see from any starting pitcher in the league. His xFIP of 2.69 signals elite-level performance and exceptional ability to limit hard contact and control the run-scoring environment. When a pitcher posts an xFIP in that range, opposing lineups are in for a long evening. Skubal's underlying metrics suggest his success is genuine and sustainable — not a product of luck or favorable sequencing.
Drew Anderson (Tigers) – xFIP 3.91
Drew Anderson counters for Detroit with a respectable but clearly inferior xFIP of 3.91. While Anderson is certainly a serviceable major league starter, the gap between his peripheral numbers and Skubal's is significant. A full 1.22-point difference in xFIP between the two starters represents a meaningful edge for the Dodgers, and it's one of the primary drivers behind WP's model favoring Los Angeles in this contest.
Why WP Baseball Predictor Favors the Dodgers
The model's 67.7% win probability for the Dodgers reflects a clear but not overwhelming edge — this is not flagged as a strong favorite, meaning the Tigers absolutely have a path to victory. That said, several factors are stacking in Los Angeles's favor:
- Starting pitcher advantage: Skubal's xFIP of 2.69 vastly outperforms Anderson's 3.91, giving the Dodgers a significant edge at the most important position on the field.
- Offensive efficiency: The Dodgers carry a team wOBA of 0.329, compared to Detroit's 0.312. That 17-point gap indicates Los Angeles generates more offensive value per plate appearance and figures to put more pressure on Anderson throughout his outing.
- Pitching staff depth: The Dodgers' team FIP of 3.96 and ERA of 3.67 reflect a rotation and bullpen capable of protecting leads. Detroit posts a comparable team ERA of 3.60 but carries a slightly worse team FIP of 4.02, suggesting their pitching staff may be slightly more vulnerable over time.
Injury Report: Key Absences to Watch
Both clubs are navigating injury challenges heading into this game, and the absences could influence how each manager deploys his roster.
Dodgers Injuries
- Edwin Diaz (Neck, 15-Day IL) – A high-leverage reliever off the table is always significant for bullpen construction late in games.
- Will Klein (Elbow, 15-Day IL) – Another bullpen arm unavailable, which could limit Los Angeles's options in the back half of close games.
- Chris Campos & Wyatt Crowell (Undisclosed, 7-Day IL) – Additional depth losses for the Dodgers' pitching staff.
- Kendall George (Knee, Out) – Out indefinitely.
Tigers Injuries
- Riley Greene (Hamstring, 10-Day IL) – A significant offensive piece missing from Detroit's lineup, which further weakens a team already sitting with a lower wOBA than Los Angeles.
- Kerry Carpenter (Foot, 10-Day IL) – Another productive bat absent for the Tigers.
- Jack Flaherty (Forearm, 15-Day IL) – A rotation-level arm sidelined, though not directly impacting today's starter.
- Kash Mayfield & Jake Miller (Undisclosed, 7-Day IL) – Additional roster losses for Detroit to manage.
Dark Horse Home Run Picks
Every game has its potential for a surprise power moment. Here are the dark horse HR picks for August 28:
- Max Muncy (Dodgers): Muncy has the left-handed power stroke to do serious damage against right-handed pitching, and a start from Drew Anderson could present the kind of opportunity Muncy capitalizes on in a big way.
- Eduardo Valencia (Tigers): Valencia is the name to watch on the Detroit side as a potential breakout performer who could make Dodgers fans nervous with one big swing against Skubal.
Final Prediction
With Tarik Skubal's dominant xFIP of 2.69 leading the way, a clear offensive edge in wOBA, and Detroit missing key lineup contributors to injury, the Dodgers are the play in this matchup. WP Baseball Predictor's 67.7% win probability reflects a real edge without overconfidence — bet accordingly, and keep an eye on Max Muncy for the long ball. Dodgers moneyline is the pick.