Tigers vs Cardinals Odds - Detroit's arms are sizzling
As we prep for the Tigers vs Cardinals odds, MLB betting fans are seeing the league standings correct themselves. The surprise teams are crashing back to earth and the cream is rising back to the top – but with a couple of exceptions. In the American League Central, the Detroit Tigers continue to surprise, while the St. Louis Cardinals are still in the thick of the National League Central. What will happen when these two upstart franchises collide?
Tigers vs Cardinals odds: Young pitchers the key to Detroit’s success this season
- Verlander continues to absolutely dominate
- Wellemeyer will give the Tigers batting practice
- Porcello is for real, but he hasn’t faced Pujols yet
Tuesday, June 16, 8:15 p.m. ET
Justin Verlander (7-2, 3.02) vs Adam Wainwright (6-4, 3.49)
After fireballer Justin Verlander dominated the league in May, he couldn’t possibly be better in June, right? Well, all he’s done is allow one earned run in 17 innings so far this month. His electric stuff is baffling hitters and helping the Tigers’ sports betting lines gain more and more steam. If he has a chink in his armor, it’s supposedly his 4.39 road ERA, but even that number comes from his ugly April. Check out these numbers: 0, 2, 0, 3, 1. Those are his earned runs in his last five road starts. He’ll still be in tough against the best hitter on the planet, Albert Pujols, who took him deep in the 2006 World Series.
Adam Wainwright is no slouch, especially at home, but he’s struggling with his control this season; he has 34 walks in 85 innings yet had 34 in 132 innings last season. This should be a solid pitching duel – pick under the total at your sportsbook – but go with the unbeatable Verlander and the Tigers.
MLB betting pick: Tigers
Wednesday, June 17 at 8:15 p.m. ET
Edwin Jackson (6-3, 2.24) vs Todd Wellemeyer (5-6, 5.50)
What’s going on with Edwin Jackson? The former top prospect-turned-bust suddenly isn’t a bust anymore, as he’s third in AL with a 2.24 ERA, doing so by cutting his walk rate dramatically. He’s also a road warrior, sporting a 1.55 ERA away from Comerica Park. In Todd Wellemeyer, he faces a guy who is serving up taters like your grandpa at a picnic this season. He also can’t hit the plate and gets rocked at home. I’d like to find a reason why the Cards can pull the upset here, but all signs point to a Tigers win.
MLB betting pick: Tigers
Thursday, June 18 at 8:15 p.m. ET
Rick Porcello (7-4, 3.71) vs Joel Pineiro (5-7, 3.99)
The rookie Porcello continues to raise eyebrows this season, particularly on the road and against righthanded hitters. On paper, it looks like he should lead the Tigers to a sweep, but I don’t see it happening. Porcello does have trouble keeping the ball in the park – he’s already allowed 10 homers this season -- and he may get a rude awakening against Pujols. Joel Pineiro has been dynamite at home, so he may snap his unlucky losing streak on Thursday.
MLB betting pick: Cardinals
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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.
