The Detroit Tigers look to continue their winning ways this afternoon when they take on the Cleveland Indians in Major League Baseball action. The game is scheduled for a 4:10 p.m. start time and it will be televised live on MLB.tv from Cleveland. The betting odds for the game have the Indians favored to pick up the win at home.
Detroit is one of two teams in the American League to open the season without a loss, joining the AL Central partner Kansas City Royals at 3-0. The Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds are also 3-0 to open the season and the Tigers will look to continue that pace tonight.
Cleveland took two out of three from the Houston Astros to open the campaign and nearly got a no-hitter from Trevor Bauer and company in yesterday's game. Facing the Tigers will be a bit of a difference, though. Detroit opened the season by pounding on the Twins, out-scoring them in their three-game series 22-1. Detroit hit .343 as a team in those opening three games, getting contributions from some of the more unsung players on their team, namely Anthony Gose and Jose Iglesias, both of which have six hits in 11 plate appearances this season.
The Indians only scored seven runs in their opening three games, but it was good enough to snatch up a couple of victories. Detroit's pitching staff made Minnesota look very poor to open the season and Cleveland will have to take a better approach than the Twins did against the Tigers. They're facing Alfredo Simon tonight, a pitcher the Tigers acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in the off season. Simon is just above the .500 mark for his short career and brings a lifetime ERA of 3.86 to the hill tonight, throwing the last three seasons for the Reds in the National League.
Current Cleveland players own a career average of .387 against Simon in 62 plate appearances, with Michael Brantley having six hits in nine at bats.
The Indians will send Zach McAllister to the mound. Last year McAllister struggled a bit (4-7, 5.23 ERA) but won the spot in the rotation due to some injuries and poor performance by teammates. Current Tigers are clubbing an average of .333 against McAllister in almost 100 plate appearances. Victor Martinez has nine hits in 18 appearances, including a home run and four doubles. Yeonis Cespedes, Ian Kinsler and J.D. Martinez all have had some success against him as well, going a combined 10-for-30 (.333).
In today's matchup, the Detroit bullpen could play a big role. They are rested while Cleveland has had several guys throw the last few days. Look for Simon to be a bit shaky at times, but the Tigers will give him the lead to work with in this one.
Free Pick: Tigers
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