Posted on
4/3/2008 12:55:21 PM
MLB Baseball Betting Odds Kansas City at Detroit
By Eric Williams
The Kansas City Royals, (2-0), and starting pitcher Brian Bannister made the Detroit Tigers, (and my selection in the BetUS Sportsbook yesterday), look foolish as they shut the Tigers, (0-2), out in winning 4-0 yesterday as Bannister limited Detroit to just two singles in seven innings despite the fact the the Tigers were supposed to have one of the most potent offenses in all of baseball this season.
Despite their spotless record at this early juncture, the Royals know they can’t get too excited.
"This isn't the time to get cocky," Royals manager Trey Hillman said. "Banny pitched very well today, and this is a nice start, but that's still a very good team and we've got to face them again tomorrow."
The Royals will send another gifted young pitcher to the mound today in 24-year-old Zack Greinke who went 7-7 last season in 14 starts and 38 relief appearances, striking out 106 batters and walking 36 with a 3.69 ERA.
"You're not going to stop them completely. You just hope to keep them close," Greinke told the Royals' official Web site. "Luckily they're not in a park like Texas or something. Then it'd be really scary. Luckily this is kind of a pitchers' park."
Greinke went 2-2 with a 1.85 ERA in seven starts to close the year last season and hopes to build on that success this year.
The Tigers will send their own solid hurler to the mound in Jeremy Bonderman who went 11-9 last season in 28 starts, striking out 145 batters and walking 48 while recording a 5.01 ERA.
Bonderman started the season 10-1 with a 3.50 ERA through July, but lost eight of his final nine decisions before getting shut down in September with elbow pain.
In addition to their starting pitching, the Royals' bullpen has also had an impressive start to the season.
Kansas City’s bullpen has also gotten the job done in the early going, allowing just one run in seven innings.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my MLB Wagering Free Picks:
Key Royals Trends
The Royals are 5-2 in their last seven Thursday games.
The Royals are 17-35 in their last 52 games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400.
The Royals are 4-9 in their last 13 road games.
Key Tigers Trends
The Tigers are 5-0 in their last five games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Tigers are 11-5 in their last 16 home games.
The Tigers are 17-36 in their last 53 home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of greater than .600.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 5-0-1 in Royals last six Thursday games.
The Under is 5-1 in Royals last six road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of less than .400.
The Under is 4-1-1 in Royals last six vs. American League Central.
The Under is 7-1 in Tigers last eight games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
The Under is 6-1-1 in Tigers last eight Thursday games.
The Over is 4-1 in Tigers last five games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Over is 5-0 in Greinkes last five road starts vs. Tigers.
The Over is 10-3-1 in the last 14 meetings in Detroit.
The Tigers are 6-2 in Bondermans last eight starts vs. Royals.
Analysis: Okay, okay, enough is enough. While the Tigers certainly won’t have an easy time against Greinke, I like their chances with Bonderman on the mound tonight. Take the Tigers to pick up their first win of the season in a close contest as Greinke and Bonderman both toss solid outings.
MLB Free Picks: Tigers 4 Royals 3
01:05 PM EST Baseball Odds
Kansas City Royals
Zack Greinke - R +1½ -115
Detroit Tigers
Jeremy Bonderman - R -1½ -105
Over 8½ -120
Under 8½ EV
American League
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