Coach Fletcher’s Free Pick
Thursday, July 2
4:05 pm Pittsburgh at Detroit
The Pick Detroit Tigers +117 Pinnacle (Overnight)
Detroit Tries to Avoid Pirate Sweep
The Pittsburgh Pirates have taken the first 2 of this 3 game interleague matchup and go for the sweep today in the Motor City. The Tigers are hoping their offense comes alive against Liriano.
Pirates Have the Edge on the Mound - Or Do They?
Liriano, Pittsburgh Ryan, Detroit
** 4-6, 3.21 ERA ** 0-1, 4.76 ERA
** 2.30 ERA on road ** 5.69 ERA at home
** 3.05 ERA last 3 ** 4.76 ERA last 3
** 5-10 4.79 ERA, 1.336 whip vs Detrot ** Never pitched vs Detroit
** Liriano is 1-9, 6.84 ERA vs Detroit ** Never pitched vs. Detroit
The fact that Detroit has never seen Ryan may be an edge for the Tigers. It may take at least 1 at bat for Pirate hitters to get comfortable and if Ryan takes care of business he may get 3 relatively easy innings. The fact that the Pirates torched the Tigers for 9 runs last night may be another plus as regression to the norm calls for a low total from Pittsburgh. Liriano’s lack of success versus Detroit can’t be underestimated because it is a pretty good sized sample.
Tigers Have an Offensive Edge
Pittsburgh Detroit
** 4.0 rpg season, 3.9 rpg road, 3,9 rpg LHP ** 4.4 rpg season, 4.4 rpg home, 4.2 LHP
** 9th in MLB, 8.86 rpg ** 1st in MLB, 9.57 rpg
** 13th in MLB batting avg - .255 ** 1st in MLB batting avg - .275
** 9th in MLB hits per game ** 1st in MLB hits per game
** 4th 20th in MLB total bases per game ** 4th in MLB totals bases per game
** 24th in MLB slugging % ** 7th in MLB slugging %
** 19th in MLB on base % ** 1st in MLB on base %
** 20th in MLB on base plus slugging % ** 3rd in MLB on base plus slugging %
Other Factors Favor the Tigers
** Tigers 4th in fewest errors per game ** Pirates 25th in MLB fewest errors per game
** Tigers 18th in MLB strength of schedule ** Pirates 29th in MLB strength of schedule
** Tigers 21-11 in day games ** Pirates 15-11 in day games
** Tigers 12-7 versus lefties ** Pirates 8-6 versus lefties
** Tigers 4.4 rpg at home ** Pirates 3.9 rpg on road
Coach’s Conclusion
Both teams are already in a dogged fight for a playoff berth even though we are barely more than halfway through the season. This game will be a hard fought game but I believe that the Tiger offense will prevail over Liriano and the Pirates. Losing 3 games and being swept at home is embarrassing to the coaches and players. The Tigers live for the day games where they are averaging 5.8 runs per game and batting .301 while the Pirates check in at .266 and 4.1 runs per game. Liriano at 1-9 lifetime versus the Tigers seems pretty shaky here. Look for Detroit’s offense to come alive.
The Pick Detroit Tigers +117 Pinnacle
Good luck
Coach Fletcher