posted April 17, 2008 at 16:42 in MLB Free Picks

It looks like sports betting enthusiasts can start to bet on the stacked Tigers again. Maybe Jim Leyland was right. After starting the season 0 and 7, the Detroit Tigers have suddenly won 5 out of 8 games and 3 in a row. In their last 3 games they have scored 11, 6 and 13 runs respectively. This team has found their batting touch. Of course, that may not help them against the Indians tonight as the Tigers send Justin Verlander to the mound. Verlander has been awful in his 3 starts this season. He’s given up 19 runs and 3 home-runs for a 6.52 ERA. Verlander will need to turn things around against a very cold Indians squad.

How cold? The Indians are 5 and 10 on the season after being within one game of the World Series last year. Their star pitcher, C.C. Sabathia, was dinged for 9 runs in 4 innings in his game versus the Tigers on Wednesday. The Indians send Fausto Carmona to the mound. Carmona was excellent in his first game of the season, but struggled in his second. So far Carmona has an ERA of 2.20.

Let’s take a look at the BetUS lines.

Detroit Tigers

Justin Verlander – R + 1 ½ - 200 Ev O 9

Cleveland Indians

Fausto Carmona – R - 1 ½ + 170 - 120 U 9

The Tigers’ bats are absolutely hot. That means that there is an obvious play in this game. The BetUS over/under of 9 runs just isn’t high enough for me to not take a stab at it.

With the Tigers on fire lately, and Carmona for the Indians struggling in his last start, there’s no reason not to bet the over in this game. Carmona will have trouble with the Tigers in this game for the simple fact that all of the Indians’ pitchers appear to be facing issues.

This Indians’ rotation just hasn’t shut-down opponents the way it did last season. Carmona has a chance to bounce back in this game, but I doubt it. Not when the Tigers have finally found out how to swing the bats again.

Justin Verlander, for Detroit, will give up his fair share of runs. That’s the make-up of this Detroit Tigers’ team. They count on their bats to win games because they know that no matter who starts for them, giving up between 4 to 5 runs is almost a given.

The BetUS over/under in the Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians game is 9 runs.

I’ll be wagering on the over in this one.

Go to the BetUS sportsbook today and take a swing at Major League Baseball online betting. We have the most current baseball odds and lines, as well as player, game and series props throughout the MLB baseball season. To help you bet on sports, check out the Free Picks section of the Locker Room for sports betting free picks and predictions. Join BetUS to experience the best in online sports betting action!