MLB Betting Weekly Series – Mariners vs Tigers Preview/Picks
NFL betting should remain a depressing topic for Detroit citizens for at least one more season but life ain’t all bad in the Motor City. The Tigers remain in the hunt for the World Series and are one winning streak away from taking a stranglehold on the AL Central lead. Can they hold off the Mariners?
Tuesday, August 18, 7:05 p.m. ET
Felix Hernandez (12-4, 2.72) vs Rick Porcello (10-7, 4.34)
The Tigers have to be happy with what rookie Rick Porcello has given them so far this season. He’s won 10 games, including two against the Mariners. However, that doesn’t mean he’s a slam-dunk betting online pick on Tuesday. In his two wins, he was ordinary, allowing six runs over 12 innings and three homers.
His opponent, Felix Hernandez, couldn’t be set up better to win. He too is 2-0 against his Tuesday opponent, but he’s been dominant, sporting a 2.77 ERA and whiffing 14 Tigers in 13 innings. If that doesn’t convince you, check out King Felix’s eye-popping road numbers for 2009: 8-1, 1.96 ERA.
Baseball pick: Mariners
Wednesday, August 19, 7:05 p.m. ET
Ian Snell (0-1, 8.78) vs Justin Verlander (13-6 3.28)
Are you allowed to wave the white flag and forfeit before a game starts? Ian Snell had some nice folklore going for him earlier this summer when he requested a demotion to the minors by the Pirates and proceeded to dominate in Class-AAA. Since being traded to Seattle, however, he’s been nothing short of a disaster in the big leagues. Now, he’s facing off against Justin Verlander, a man who’s 7-1 at home with a 2.05 ERA, 88 strikeouts in 76.2 innings and a .205 opponents’ average. It’s betting management suicide to pick Seattle.
Baseball pick: Tigers
Thursday, August 20, 1:05 p.m. ET
Ryan Rowland-Smith (2-1, 3.60) vs Jarrod Washburn (8-7, 2.95)
This Ryan Rowland-Smith character has made a decent impression in limited duty as a starter this season. He’s faced some good offenses – the Yankees, Rays, and Jays – and pitched well. The main storyline of the day is Jarrod Washburn facing the Mariners for the first time since they traded him. He hasn’t pitched well in Detroit, but he should be extra motivated to beat his old buddies. Look for Washburn to pass his test on Thursday. The current Mariner lineup shouldn’t scare him too much; even Ichiro bats a pedestrian .286 against Washburn in 56 career at-bats.
Baseball pick; Tigers
2 replies on “M’s vs Tigers Series Betting Preview”
Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez hasn’t lost on the road since May 9 and has won five straight starts against the Detroit Tigers. Hernandez (12-4, 2.72 ERA) is 8-1 with an AL-best 1.96 ERA on the road this year. Seattle (61-57) won his last eight road outings, with Hernandez going 6-0 with a 1.36 ERA to boost his chances of earning his first Cy Young Award.For Hernandez to continue his dominance of Detroit, he may need to start having some success against the first two hitters in the club’s lineup. Curtis Granderson is 9 for 22 (.409) against him, while Placido Polanco is 6 for 15 (.400).
The Mariners won 11 of Hernandez’s last 12 starts overall. He gave up six hits over seven innings and struck out 10 in a 1-0, 14-inning victory over Chicago last Wednesday.Detroit had the day off Monday after its three-game winning streak ended with a 3-2, 10-inning loss to Kansas City on Sunday. The Tigers were hitless in 16 at-bats with runners in scoring position, and third baseman Ryan Rayburn’s third error of the game led to the go-ahead unearned run for the Royals in the 10th.
Suzuki leads the majors with 175 hits, but is 6 for 25 (.240) versus Detroit this year.
The M’s look good in this series.
As an M’s fan I sure hope you’re right. It’s been a long time since the glory days of Seattle baseball…