Baseball Betting - Series of the Week Twins at Tigers
Posted on 7/7/2008 11:41:17 AM
By T.J. Kendrick
Baseball Betting Odds
Odds are this week's four-game series could swing the balance of power in the Central.
Detroit ramped up its play considerably in June, ripping off a 19-8 record since June 7. The team slumped a bit over the last week, going 1-2 against Seattle. Detroit has arguably had the worst pitching in the American League, but things turned around in June.
While the Tigers' staff wasn't exactly dominating last month, it improved enough to give their fierce lineup a chance, going 19-8 with a 3.90 ERA. That fierce lineup, of course, did its part. Detroit was second in on-base percentage in June.
Kenny Rodgers (6-6), Armando Galarraga (7-2), Nate Robertson (6-7) and Justin Verlander (5-9) are expected to pitch for Detroit..
The Twins haven't been playing bad baseball themselves. Minnesota unleashed a 10-game winning streak on the National League in June and has won five in a row heading into this week. The offense has been surprisingly effective, banging out about five runs per game this season, among the best teams in the AL. It's even stranger considering Minny has hit only 60 homers this season, which ranks dead last in the American League.
Capping off a bizarre month for the Twins is the fact that they played so well despite a weak effort from the rotation. In June, Minnesota posted a 4.21 ERA, 11th in the AL, while allowing hitters a .285 average (worst in the league that month). Their saving grace was a league-low 54 walks.
Kevin Slowey (6-6), Glen Perkins (5-2), Scott Baker (5-2) and Nick Blackburn (7-4) should pitch for the Twins.
The Twins are 7-4 against Detroit this season, though the Tigers are 3-2 at home. It should be an exciting, closely contested series. Visit the BetOnline.com Sportsbook today for all your baseball betting odds.
T.J. Kendrick is the biggest baseball nut and a
brilliant MLB handicapper. His love of the game borders on obsession, and he
takes every chance he gets to make excellent predictions, frequently
contributing to industry handicapping sites as well as BetOnline.com. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
