MLB action heats up as the Pittsburgh Pirates square off against the Detroit Tigers. The Pirates will be sending Rich Hill to the mound, while the Tigers have their newly signed ace Eduardo Rodriguez ready to deliver. The game is lined at a -173, tipping the scales in favor of the Tigers despite their middling season.

The Pirates, fresh from a shutout in their last game, face the possibility of a repeat against Rodriguez. A fresh signee on a five-year, $77 million contract, Rodriguez is bringing his A-game, delivering performances reminiscent of the Tigers’ last frontline ace, Justin Verlander, from mid-2015.

This game isn’t about the power of the lineup or the depth of position players. It’s about Rodriguez stepping up as the ace, going against oldman Rich Hill. Hill, however, deserves credit for his off-season mechanical adjustments that are starting to pay off.

Still, the odds look heavily stacked toward Detroit, given the mismatch on the mound. But, considering the recent form of both pitchers, a possible under also seems like a good bet.

Hill’s strategy of adjusting his mechanics from throwing junk to even more junk might work against right-handed batters. But against Rodriguez, it seems like a tall order. Over the last 30 days, Rodriguez has an xFIP of 3.11 and a strikeout percentage over 30%, making him a tough proposition for any batting lineup.

Furthermore, his splits are even more impressive. With a weighted on-base percentage (wOBA) in Major League Baseball of  .325 or higher means you’re doing your job, left-handed batters have found Rodriguez almost impossible to hit. In fact, of the 25 left-handed batters he’s faced over the past month, not a single one reached base, resulting in a zero wOBA and a zero ISO power number. Against right-handed batters, he’s equally formidable with a .184 wOBA and an ISO of .053.

The Pirates have their work cut out for them, as Rodriguez is delivering performances that make his $77 million contract seem like an absolute steal. So, if you’re looking to place a bet on this game, the Tigers, led by their in-form ace Rodriguez, seem like the smart choice.