Rangers (53-40) vs Tigers (51-41)
The Texas Rangers lost the series opener last night and come into Saturday having lost 3 in a row. They find themselves just a game back of the Oakland A’s in the American League West even though they have a couple of more wins than the Tigers.
Saturday July 13
Comerica Park – Detroit, MI
7:15PM
Probable Starters:
TEX: Derek Holland (L)
DET: Max Scherzer (R)
Moneyline: Detroit -156, Texas +144
O/U: 8
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Texas
To me the Rangers are among the most surprising teams in all of baseball this season.
I didn’t think they would be bad but I didn’t think they would be this good either, especially with the injuries they have incurred in their lineup and throughout the rotation.
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Getting dynamic 2B Ian Kinsler back could kick start them for the second half of the season offensively.
With Yu Darvish on the disabled list the role of ace for the Rangers falls to lefty Derek Holland. Holland has been enjoying a quietly good year. He is 7th in the AL in strikeouts and 11th in ERA, just a smidge over Darvish on the Rangers. Texas has won three of his last four starts and won his only start against Detroit this season.
It was a barn burner, 11-8, that he didn’t get a decision in. In fact the has never had a decision against the Tigers, though his numbers are solid with a 3.31 ERA over a few starts.
Detroit
The Detroit Tigers may have only the 6th best record in the American League but they are second in run differential. This club, led by 3B Miguel Cabrera of course, they have a great slugging lineup and that can beat up on any pitcher. In the series between these two teams this season there have been a fair number of runs scored. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Only once has the winning team not scored at least 7 runs. After last night the Tigers are 2-3 against Texas this season and with their best starter going tonight they have a great chance of evening that record.
There have been a number of great statistical performances this season but there is something about a perfect record that captivates. Max Scherzer is 13-0 heading into Saturday’s final start before the All-Star break. As long as he doesn’t lose his numbers will be a part of the conversation and the Tigers have won his last 7 outings so probability is on his side, I think.
Detroit is 15-3 when he takes the hill and it is definitely not luck. Scherzer is nearly unhittable with a .200 BAA and has really cut down on his walks this season. The improved control has not sacrificed his K numbers though – he is 3rd in the Majors and with the guys ahead of him done before the break he could be first after this start.
Two good starters for sure but I think it will be the offenses that will determine this one.
The Tigers can rip through any pitcher as Cabrera shows no signs of cooling and Scherzer is winning pretty much everything this season. The Tigers bullpen is not great but if they put up some crooked numbers they won’t have to be.
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Detroit 8 – Texas 5
