Detroit Tigers odds – bats will be big, but can the pitching keep up
Detroit Tigers odds depend heavily on their pitching, which was awful in 2008. Things are off to a rocky start this year, as a couple of pitchers will begin the season on the disabled list.
That’s a shame, because many fans who bet Tigers in sports betting were stung last season after the team wasted a great hitting year. Will it be more of the same in 2009?
Detroit Tigers odds: +1900 to win the World Series
- Cabrera, Ordonez lead a lineup with punch
- Pitching must get healthy and find consistency
- Galarraga has unseated Verlander as Tigers’ ace
Detroit’s offense was sixth in the majors in runs last year, as Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez formed a potent duo in the middle of the lineup. Carlos Guillen battled injuries but, with enough at-bats, he could approach another 20-homer season in 2009.
Many familiar faces have departed. Tigers betting fans won’t see Gary Sheffield and Edgar Renteria, who were let go, and this will be the first time in five years that Pudge Rodriguez isn’t Detroit’s catcher on Opening Day. He’ll be replaced by Gerald Laird and the versatile Brandon Inge. Inge will be very crucial to Tigers odds as he can play all over the field, but his numbers have declined in the last three years. However, when given the chance, the utilityman can produce, even at 31 years old.
The Tigers’ pitching really let them down in 2008, as Detroit was 26th in runs allowed. Justin Verlander was tipped as the Tigers’ ace, but he turned in a terrible, inconsistent season. Jeremy Bonderman battled injuries most of the season and Kenny Rogers finally started showing his age.
Nate Robertson has been relegated to the bullpen and Fernando Rodney has the potential to be a great closer, but he has major control problems. Rogers has been replaced by Edwin Jackson, who came from Tampa Bay, and has a chance to prove that his 2008 campaign was no fluke as he turned in a solid performance for the World Series-bound Rays.
The lone bright spot seems to be Armando Galarraga who, in just his second year, was the lone starter with a winning record. The Tigers will also be counting on Dontrelle Willis and Joel Zumaya to come back from the disabled list ready to go, but MLB odds fans shouldn’t hold their breath, especially with Willis.
The Tigers are +220 favorites to win the American League Central and +1900 to win the World Series after folding under the pressure of huge expectations last year. Detroit gave big-money contracts to Cabrera and Willis when they acquired them from Florida; the team now has the third highest payroll in baseball, so Tigers betting fans expect results. At least Cabrera earned his keep and could have an even better year.
If you’re going to bet on the Tigers, you won’t see them struggle to score runs. However, all those runs will go for naught if their pitchers don’t step up, and Verlander especially needs to find some consistency. Bonderman, Willis and Zumaya need to get healthy in a hurry or it will be another lonely season for Galarraga.
The Tigers won’t finish last and they should remain competitive because of their ability to score, but they just don’t have the pitching to take the division this year. Be cautious of Detroit’s baseball betting odds this season.
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Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
