Pleasent Surprise
In a very disappointing season for the Detroit Tigers, Armando Galarraga has been a very pleasant surprise.
Galarraga tries to win for the first time in four starts Wednesday as Detroit closes a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics.
Oddsmakers from SBG Global have made Detroit -210 money line favorites (MLB Odds) for today’s game, the over/under has been set at 9 total runs (Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 83% of bets for this game have been placed on Detroit -210 (View MLB Bet Percentages).
Since winning three straight starts, Armando Galarraga (12-5, 3.39 ERA) has gone 0-1 with a 4.95 ERA in three outings since. He pitched six innings Friday against Minnesota, allowing a season-high six runs and three hits while walking six in a 10-2 loss.
The right-hander, who leads Detroit starters in wins and ERA, is 1-0 with a 4.66 ERA in one start and two relief appearances against Oakland (66-78). He gave up two runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings of a 10-2 win over the A’s on Aug. 9.
Galarraga will try to help Detroit (70-75) rebound following a 3-2 loss on Tuesday night.
Starter Nate Robertson allowed one run over seven innings, but the Tigers went 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position and couldn’t protect a 2-0 lead. Emil Brown drove in the go-ahead run in a two-run eighth inning with a sacrifice fly.
"The little things: Really, that’s what it takes to win the close ones," said Oakland’s Rajai Davis, who had two triples.
Oakland has won three of its last four following a four-game losing streak.
Detroit’s offense, mean wile, was held in check as it was denied a fourth straight win. The Tigers scored 27 runs during their three-game win streak.
Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco went 2-for-5 and has a .409 career batting average against the A’s.
Right fielder Magglio Ordonez went 0-for-4 to snap his 13-game hitting streak during which he batted .469 (23-for-49).
Sean Gallagher (1-2, 6.55) is expected to come off the disabled list on Tuesday and make his first start since being sidelined with shoulder fatigue. He was dismal in his last start against the Twins on Aug. 19, allowing 10 runs and 11 hits in five innings of a 13-2 loss.
Gallagher told the A’s official Web site on Saturday that he was completely recovered. He made a rehab start last Thursday and threw 75 pitches.
"I feel good," he said. "I felt good going out there and was able to locate my pitches and pitch how I wanted to pitch and how I know I’m able to."
Gallagher, acquired from the Chicago Cubs on July 8 as part of the deal for Rich Harden, has never faced the Tigers.
Oakland has won five of eight games this season against Detroit. The A’s have won the season series in three of the last four years.
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