Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians MLB Free Pick

[Qbins Missile Crisis]

Terron Chapman
Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians (MLB) - Apr 17, 2008 7:05 PM EDT
Play: Total: 9/109 Over Pick Title: Thursday Free Play

Last night we made a play on the Tigers based on the struggles of a certain starting pitcher. Tonight we travel back to the same venue to make a play on two struggling pitchers. Justin Verlander will take the mound for the Tigers and face Fausto Carmona for the Indians in the 2nd game of the series tonight in Cleveland.

Both pitchers are coming off losses with Verlander having not won a game all season going 0-2 in three starts with a 6.52 ERA. He hasn't fared well against Cleveland recently going 1-4 in his last six starts with a 9.19 ERA. And that could spell good news for the cold Indian bats, as their current lineup is batting .289 with a .914 OPS against Verlander, with catcher Victor Martinez having the most success against him batting .292 with an impressive 1.167 OPS. I expect the Indians to have some success against Verlander this evening making a run at the over in this one all the more possible.

Carmona has not been as bad as Verlander so far this season, but has struggled despite having a chance at winning his last two. His problem has been walks. His 17 walks is the most in the Major Leagues. His stuff is still nasty and a force to be reckoned with, but his control is a major issue. Remember before last season, his breakout year, Carmona was known to have control problems. And until he seems to have fixed those control problems, he will continue to be worth taking a look at. With Detroit swinging the bats the way they are right now and two pitchers not throwing the ball like they are capable.

We are going to take a shot at the over in this one for 2 units. The over is 6-0 in Verlanders last six starts vs the Indians and 7-3 the last 10 meetings in Cleveland.

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