Tigers vs Cardinals Series Picks/Predictions
U.S. Open odds will be on the minds of most sports betting fans this week, but there’s still some great baseball to be played.
Interleague play continues as the Detroit Tigers cross over to the Senior Circuit against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Tuesday, June 16 at 8:15 p.m. ET: Justin Verlander (7-2, 3.02) vs Adam Wainwright (6-4, 3.49)
After a subpar season in 2008, Justin Verlander has bounced back in a big way.
LOOKING FOR OUR TOP MLB CAPPERS? CLICK HERE TO VIEW —–>
Thanks to his efforts Detroit leads the American League Central, and the scary thing is he’s getting better. The Tigers have won four of the last five games started by the righty-and in that lone loss he threw eight innings of shutout baseball. He’s overpowering batters right now, as evidenced by his 106 strikeouts in 86.1 innings of work. Toss in the fact that he’s surrendered just one run in his last 17 innings and you might be talking about the best pitcher in baseball right now.
Wainwright’s numbers are respectable, but he’s allowed double-digit hits in two of his last three starts. His walks are also way up this year-he already has as many as he did all of last season-so that certainly won’t help St. Louis’ case. Ultimately, he’s not on the same level as Verlander.
MLB odds pick: Detroit
Wednesday, June 17 at 8:15 p.m. ET: Edwin Jackson (6-3, 2.24) vs Todd Wellemeyer (5-6, 5.50)
Jackson is putting the “win” back in Edwin; Detroit has won five of its last seven games started by the right-hander. He’s already off and running this month, allowing just three runs and .184 opponents’ batting average in two starts. Visiting St. Louis shouldn’t be a problem either, as he’s been brilliant on the road (1.55 ERA, 0.99 WHIP).
Wellemeyer is another story. The veteran serves up a healthy dose of walks and rarely strikes out batters, and he’s surrendered 11 earned runs in his past 13 innings (though the Cardinals won the last outing 6-5). Sure, Edwin Jackson’s magic could run out at any time, but this is a brutal mismatch for Cardinals fans.
MLB odds pick: Detroit
Thursday, June 18 at 8:15 p.m. ET: Rick Porcello (7-4, 3.71) vs Joel Pineiro (5-7, 3.99)
Rookie Rick Porcello has been a pleasant surprise for Detroit, at one point winning five straight games. Overall, the Tigers have won seven of his last eight starts, including a fine one-run performance against Pittsburgh in his last outing. The start before that was a rough one, though, after giving up four runs over five innings. Porcello isn’t overpowering (38 Ks in 68 innings) but it hasn’t stopped him to this point.
Pineiro opened the year being quietly effective, but he’s hit the skids since starting April 4-0. The Cardinals have lost seven of his last eight starts, although it should be pointed out he’s had very little run support (St. Louis hasn’t scored more than four runs during those games). Pineiro has proven to be a solid innings eater who at least gives his team a chance to win; he’s given up four runs or fewer in each of his past five starts. Throw in impressive home numbers (3-2, 2.52) and some overdue run support and the Cards should avoid the sweep.
MLB odds pick: St. Louis
