The Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers meet up for the second straight game tonight in Major League Baseball action. The game is scheduled for a 7:08 p.m. start time and it will be televised on MLB.tv in addition to locally in both markets. Currently the Major League Baseball Odds for the game have the Tigers as a solid favorite in this home game.
Texas took out some frustration Thursday afternoon, beating up on Tigers pitching and running away with a 9-2 victory. Detroit, with the loss, now has fallen in four straight games, their longest skid of the season to this point. Detroit hasn't lost five straight since April of 2012.
These teams met up for a swap of superstars as Prince Fielder was sent south for Ian Kinsler in the off-season. Now that trade looks a bit better for the Tigers, as Fielder will reportedly have season-ending neck surgery, which is not what the Rangers need at this stage of the game.
Detroit's rotation has lost four games in a row and have posted a 9.28 ERA in those starts. Despite having a very sound offensive ball club, it's awful tough to win games when your pitching staff is getting knocked around. Those starters have allowed 19 earned runs in a three-game span for the first time in three years.
Anibal Sanchez gets the ball for the Tigers tonight. He's been bothered by a blister problem on his throwing hand, which caused him to miss a couple of starts. He returned to the hill Sunday, picking up a win against the Boston Red Sox. Sanchez sports a record of 1-2 with an ERA south of 3.00 so far this season, holding opposing teams to a .196 batting average in those starts. Yet, against Texas Sanchez hasn't been able to get the job done — the Tiger righty is 0-3 with a 9.49 ERA and the Rangers have clubbed a .393 batting average in his three starts.
Scott Baker will start tonight's game for the Rangers. He gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings in a relief appearance earlier this season. At Triple A this season Baker sported a record of 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA in six starts. Baker threw three games for the Chicago Cubs last season, but missed all of 2012 with elbow surgery. Baker is 7-5 with a 4.71 ERA in 23 career starts against Detroit.
Tonight we like Detroit to get a win at home, where they have posted a 13-9 record so far this season. Sanchez will look to make another solid start, despite his struggles against the Rangers in his past.
Free pick: Detroit 5, Texas 2
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