Posted on
4/16/2008 12:02:50 PM
MLB Baseball Betting –Tigers Seek Answers As Twins Visit Motown
By Eric Williams
Despite having what is arguably the best batting order in the American League and possibly all of baseball, the Detroit Tigers, (2-10, 5-7 O/U) have gotten off to an absolutely horrific start and have been shut out the past two games in the BetUS Sportsbook while getting swept by the Chicago White Sox.
The Tigers, the last team to win their first game this season, were pounded 11-0 on Sunday one day after getting knocked around in their 7-0 loss to Chicago. The Tigers have been shut out four times this season after getting shut out just three times in 2007.
"Where we're at makes sense because that's the way we've played," said manager Jim Leyland, who reportedly gave his team an earful following Sunday’s game. "It's not surprising that we're 2-10. We've been shut out four times. ... I didn't think we'd get shut out four times all year, to be honest with you."
While the Tigers are floundering in a big way, the Minnesota Twins, (6-6, 4-7-1 O/U) have gotten off to a respectable start despite getting beat 5-1 by the surprising Kansas City Royals on Sunday as starting pitcher Francisco Liriano, a rookie all-star in 2006, made his first major league appearance in nearly a year and a half after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The Twins were held to three hits by the Royals’ Brian Bannister after scoring 19 combined runs in their three previous contests. The Tigers enter tonight’s matchup looking for their first win of the season at Comerica Park as they open a two-game series with the Twins.
Detroit will send right-hander Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 3.97 ERA), to the mound hoping for their second straight win with Bonderman on the hill as he limited the Boston Red Sox to one earned run in five innings while leading the Tigers to a 7-2 win last Wednesday.
Nick Blackburn (0-1, 2.25), who is making his third big league start, will take the mound for Minnesota. He limited the Chicago White Sox to two runs in five innings last Monday but didn’t get a decision in the Twins’ 7-4 road loss
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Betting Picks:
Key Twins Trends
The Twins are 5-1 in their last six during game one of a series.
The Twins are 4-1 in their last five after allowing five or more in their previous game.
The Twins are 4-1 in their last five Monday games.
Key Tigers Trends
The Tigers are 2-7 in their last nine after allowing five runs or more in their previous game.
The Tigers are 2-7 in their last nine games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
The Tigers are 2-8 in their last ten games following a loss.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 6-0 in Twins last six when their opponent allows five runs or more in their previous game.
The Under is 5-1 in Twins last six during game one of a series.
The Under is 4-1-1 in Twins last six when their opponent scores two runs or less in their previous game.
The Under is 4-1 in Tigers last five when their opponent allows five runs or more in their previous game.
The Under is 4-1 in Tigers last five home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
The Under is 4-1 in Tigers last five games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Under is 4-0 in Bonderman’s last four home starts vs. Twins.
The Under is 8-2 in the last ten meetings.
The Tigers are 4-9 in Bonderman’s last 13 starts vs. Twins.
Analysis: Simple and plain, take the Tigers to win this game and pick up their first home victory of 2008 behind another solid outing from Bonderman. While the Twins and Blackburn don’t figure to roll over quietly for the Tigers, I do like Detroit to win, particularly after getting ripped by manager Jim Leyland following last night’s loss.
MLB Free Picks: Tigers 5 Twins 3
07:05 PM EST MLB Odds
Minnesota Twins
Nick Blackburn - R +1½ -145
Detroit Tigers
Jeremy Bonderman - R -1½ +125
Over 9 -105
Under 9 -115
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