LARRY NESS
etroit Tigers @ Chicago White Sox
PICK: Chicago White Sox
In an era of spoiled athletes, no player in recent memory showed more class than Detroit's Armando Galarraga after he was robbed of MLB's 21st perfect game last Thursday by umpire Jim Joyce's inexplicable call at first base. In a perfect world, Galarraga deserves a win in this game and a strong finish to the season. However, we don't live in a perfect world. Galarraga had an excellent rookie season in 2008, going 13-7 with a 3.73 ERA in 30 appearances, including 28 starts (Tigers were 18-10). However, he didn't come close to matching that effort last year, falling to 6-10 with a 5.64 ERA (opponents hit .284 off him) in 29 appearances, including 25 starts (Tigers were 10-15). He didn't pitch well in the spring and opened the 2010 season in the minors. His near-perfect game last Thursday marked just his fourth appearance and third start of 2010. The Tigers are just 12-17 on the road this year and while tonight's starter for Chicago (Gavin Floyd) has struggled all season (2-6 with a 6.64 ERA in 11 starts, allowing 78 hits in 69 innings), Floyd's always had great success vs Detroit. He's 5-0 with a 3.34 ERA in 12 career starts vs the Tigers, with the White Sox winning 10 of the 12. No storybook ending tonight, either. Take the White Sox.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Boston Red Sox -153
The Red Sox are rolling, and their winning ways should continue tonight when you consider their history of dominance against the Tribe and the way they have crushed lefty starters this season. The Sox have won 13 of 16 against Cleveland the last 3 seasons, including 5 of 6 on the road. The Indians have only won 3 of the 10 games that Huff has started this season. He's carrying an ERA of 6.08 on the season and that number is up to 8.74 over his last 3 starts. That doesn't look to good for the Indians consider the Red Sox are hitting .284 with a .367 on base percentage against southpaw starters and scoring 6.2 runs per game on the season. Lastly, the Red Sox are 4-0 in Wakefield's last 4 starts vs. the Indians. Bet Boston tonight.
Jack Jones
Red Sox/Indians OVER 9.5
I expect Tim Wakefield and David Huff to get rocked tonight as each has really struggled of late. Wakefield is 1-4 with a 6.02 ERA this season, and he has been crushed for 15 earned runs, 23 base runers and 3 home runs in his last 2 starts, totaling 9.2 innings of work. Those two starts came against the A's and Royals, certainly two of the worst offensive teams in the league who are similar to Cleveland. Huff is 2-6 with a 6.08 ERA this season, including 0-1 with an 8.74 ERA and 1.853 WHIP in his last 3 starts.
Wakefield is 10-2 to the OVER vs. poor power teams - averaging 0.9 or less HR's/game over the last 2 seasons, and I am seeing an average combined score of 12.7 RPG in these spots. Boston is 11-3-1 to the OVER in their last 15 games as a road favorite of -151 to -200. The OVER is 5-1 in Wakefield's last 6 starts overall. The OVER is 17-6-4 in Wakefields last 27 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game. Cleveland is 7-1 to the OVER in their last 8 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game. The Indians are 11-2 to the OVER in their last 13 home games. Bet the OVER Tuesday.
Black Widow
1* on Chicago White Sox -110
It's only human nature for a starter like Armando Galarraga to suffer a letdown in his next game after throwing a perfect game like he did against the Indians last time out, well near-perfect. In his only road start this season, which came on May 22nd, Galarraga allowed 6 runs, 5 earned, and 9 hits with 2 home runs in 4.2 innings of a 4-6 loss at the Dodgers. Plus, Galarrago has not fared well in his last 2 starts at Chicago, both coming in 2009. He allowed 9 earned runs, 13 hits, 6 walks, and 3 home runs in 12.2 innings. Detroit is one team that Gavin Floyd loves facing. Floyd is 5-0 with a 3.34 ERA in 12 career starts against the Tigers, where the White Sox have gone 10-2. Chicago is 12-6 in 18 home meetings with the Tigers over the last 3 seasons as well. Take the White Sox on the Money Line.
Dennis Macklin
Tigers vs. White Sox
Play: Under 9
Armando Galaragga is 2-1 with a 2.87 ERA that in all reality is skewed by one bad start at the Dodgers. Comes off "Perfect Game" one-hitter in his last, he's seemingly unflappable and handled the situation better than anyone could in that situation. Pale Hose starter Gavin Floyd is 2-6 with a 6.64 ERA but he's owned the Twins with a 5-0 LT mark in 12 starts and the last meeting in the Cell, Floyd pitched eight innings of four hit, one run ball, choking out the Twinkies. Side dicey at best and wouldn't want either side but the low rates a look here in a game where runs could be tough to come by. Play the Under.