Analysis:1* Take Detroit (#971).
The markets want no part of Detroit today with early $$
coming against them after the Tigers bullpen blew back-2-back games over the
weekend, including yesterday’s grueling 19 inning marathon. With KC surging, the Tigers lead in the AL
Central is down to a mere half game – there’s pressure on Detroit to avoid a
skid here. And, for all of his 2014
struggles, Justin Verlander is exactly the guy I want my money on in a big game
like this one.
Verlander’s struggles over the first half of the season have
been well documented, and they’ll continue to affect his season long numbers
for the rest of the year. But since
getting a full week off during the All Star break, Verlander has been rock
solid, throwing four quality starts in four tries while pitching at least seven
full innings in each of his last three trips to the hill. Verlander’s ability to go deep into games is
a huge factor today, considering the Tigers tired bullpen. And his quote following his last start
against the Yankees inspires confidence from this bettor: “If I can pitch like that moving forward, there are
going to be a whole lot of positive outcomes to come.”
With Neil Walker and Andrew
McCutchen both ailing, the Pirates lineup defines the word ‘anemic’ right
now. They’ve been held to two runs or
less in three straight games; three runs or less five times in their last seven
contests. And, after getting shut down
by the Padres over the weekend, it’s not like Pittsburgh is rolling with
positive momentum these days any more than Detroit is. And with Verlander’s track record against the
Pirates (4-0 with a 1.92 ERA, including a complete game win on his last visit
to PNC Park), it’s not hard to picture him shutting the Pirates down again
today.
The Tigers have spent the entire
season mauling opposing lefties like Pittsburgh’s Jeff Locke, entering
tonight’s game with an MLB best 24 wins against southpaws this year. Locke certainly isn’t in great current form,
allowing 18 runs on 32 hits over his four starts since the All Star break while
giving up a whopping eight home runs during that span. I’m not expecting a
shutdown effort here either! Take Detroit.
Pick Made: Aug 11 2014 8:16AM PST