Friday's Streaking and Slumping Starting Pitchers
Streakers
Brett Myers, Houston Astros (13-7, 2.76 ERA)
The 30-year-old right hander should at least be in the conversation for the National League Cy Young award.
Myers is fourth in the NL in innings (212) and sixth in ERA, but has been even better during the second half of the season. In his past eight starts he has given up just nine runs over 54 innings. The past three times he has toed the rubber he has been nearly unstoppable, allowing only one run over 21 innings while striking out 23 against just three walks.
This season against Pittsburgh he has picked up a win by going seven innings and allowing just two earned in his only outing against the Pirates.
Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers (17-8, 3.46 ERA)
It’s been nearly a month since the right-hander has not notched a quality start.
Verlander went the distance the last time he toed the rubber, tossing a complete game against the White Sox as he yielded just three earned runs on six hits, striking out eight against only one walk. Over his past six outings, he has given up just 12 earned runs over 46 innings.
Against the Twins this season he has been strong, going 1-1 with a 2.51 ERA as Minnesota has struck out 18 times against six walks.
"He's a special talent," Tigers manager Jim Leyland told the Associated Press. "We all know that. You don't just find guys like that."
Slumping
Jeff Niemann, Tampa Bay Rays (10-7, 4.48 ERA)
This would be the weak spot of the Rays rotation.
Niemann has been absolutely blasted the past few weeks, picking up the loss in four of his last five decisions as his team dropped them all. Over that span, he has given up 31 earned runs over just 19.1 innings. The last time he took the mound, he was tagged for five earned over just 4.1 innings as he allowed six hits, including two home runs, and walked three.
The reason for his terrible outings is very clear: he is getting the ball up. The ground ball pitch has gotten only 25 grounders versus 41 fly outs during his rough patch.
John Ely, Los Angeles Dodgers (4-8, 5.00 ERA)
The young righty has seen his share of struggles this season.
Since returning to the starting rotation on September 11, Ely has given up nine earned runs over 10.1 innings in his past two starts. The last time he took the bump he was tagged for six earned runs on five hits, including allowing five walks and a pair of bombs in a 12-2 loss to Colorado.
In just 90 innings this year, Ely has yielded 91 hits and struck out just 66 against 33 walks.
Tips and Trends
Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers
TWINS: Minnesota was the first team this year to clinch a playoff berth, as they ran away with the American League Central division. The Twins have been the best team in baseball for the past few months, and it appears nothing is going to stop them. Minnesota is tied with the Yankees for the best record in all of baseball at 92-60 SU. The Twins have been so consistent this season, they even have a winning record on the road at 40-35. The Twins are +20.59 and +4.59 units both SU and on the RL overall this season. Lefty Francisco Liriano will make the road start tonight, as he is 14-8 with an ERA of 3.44 and a WHIP of 1.25 this season. The Twins are 4-0 in their last 4 road games against a team with a winning record. Minnesota is 21-5 in their last 26 games against a right-handed starter. The Twins are 10-3 in their last 13 games during game 1 of a series. Minnesota is 5-0 in Liriano's last 5 starts against the American League Central. The Twins are 5-0 in Liriano's last 5 starts against a team with a winning record.
Twins are 5-1 last 6 games following an off day.
Under is 7-1 last 8 road games against a right-handed starter.
Key Injuries - 2B Orlando Hudson (shoulder) is questionable.
Projected Score: 3
TIGERS: (-135, O/U 7.5) Detroit is simply playing out their season, as they have no chance of making the postseason. Instead, Detroit is focusing on finishing the year with a winning record. Currently, the Tigers are at 77-75 SU this year. The Tigers are -0.07 and +13.77 units both SU and on the RL respectively this season. The Tigers have won 5 of their past 6 games thanks to a powerful offense. Too little too late, yet it's still nice to see this highly hyped team play well. Veteran ace Justin Verlander will take the home mound tonight, as he is 17-8 SU with an ERA of 3.46 and a WHIP of 1.19 this year. The Tigers are 18-6 in their last 24 games against the American League Central. The Tigers are 12-5 in their last 17 home games overall. Detroit is 35-16 in their last 51 home games against a left-handed starter. The Tigers are 1-6 in their last 7 games following an off day. Detroit is 4-0 in Verlander's last 4 home starts against a team with a winning record. The Tigers are 4-0 in Verlander's last 4 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance. Detroit is 19-7 in Verlander's last 26 starts against the American League Central.
Tigers are 2-9 last 11 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%.
Over is 20-7 last 27 games against a left-handed starter.
Key Injuries - LF Carlos Guillen (knee) is out.
Projected Score: 5 (SIDE of the Day)
Diamond Trends - Friday
By Vince Akins
White Sox at Angels - The White Sox are 8-0 since June 11, 2010 as a dog after a win and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $950.
Rangers at Athletics - The Rangers are 0-6 since May 15, 2010 on the road after a 5+ run loss and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $625 when playing against.
Orioles at Blue Jays - The Orioles are 5-0 since August 08, 2010 when they are off a loss in which they had at least three times as many hits as runs for a net profit of $750. The Blue Jays are 9-0 since May 28, 2010 as a favorite vs a divisional foe that is behind them in the divisional standings for a net profit of $900.
Cardinals at Cubs - The Cardinals are 0-7 since August 24, 2010 as a road favorite vs a divisional foe that is behind them in the divisional standings for a net profit of $958 when playing against. The Cubs are 6-0 since August 28, 2010 when they are off a loss in which they never led for a net profit of $760.
Dodgers at Diamondbacks - The Diamondbacks are 7-0 since August 06, 2010 as a home dog when they lost the last time they faced this starting pitcher for a net profit of $935.
Royals at Indians - The Royals are 0-8 since May 02, 2010 on the road when they are off a win in which they never trailed and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $810 when playing against.
Braves at Nationals - The Braves are 0-7 since April 26, 2010 on the road after a one run loss and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $800 when playing against.
Reds at Padres - The Padres are 0-6 since August 28, 2010 after a loss in which they left fewer than 10 men on base for a net profit of $660 when playing against.
Mets at Phillies - The Phillies are 8-0 since September 06, 2010 at home when they won the last two games their starter started for a net profit of $800.
Astros at Pirates - The Pirates are 4-0 since August 22, 2010 at home after a loss in which they allowed 5+ walks for a net profit of $650.
Mariners at Rays - The Mariners are 0-10 since May 15, 2010 as a 170+ dog when they lost the last time they faced this starting pitcher for a net profit of $1000 when playing against.
Giants at Rockies - The Giants are 6-0 since May 28, 2010 vs a team that has lost at least their last three games and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $640. The Rockies are 6-0 since April 11, 2010 as a home favorite after a loss in which they allowed 12+ hits for a net profit of $600.
Twins at Tigers - The Twins are 0-7 since April 28, 2010 as a road dog when they scored two or fewer runs for their starter in his last start for a net profit of $700 when playing against.
Red Sox at Yankees - The Yankees are 0-4 since June 18, 2010 as a home 140+ favorite after a loss and it is the first game of the series for a net profit of $690 when playing against.