Rangers vs. Tigers Pick
Will the Texas Rangers continue to add to their 10-game winning streak tonight when they face the Detroit Tigers at 7:15PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Tigers are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -150 to win. The Rangers are listed with a money line of +140 to prevail, while the over/under total for the game is listed at 8.5 runs.
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Today’s pitching matchup has A.J. Griffin (4-0, 3.15 ERA) on the mound to face Justin Verlander (3-3 4.47) of the Tigers. Verlander is coming off a shaky outing, allowing four runs in six innings of work with five walks. He has struggled with walks this season, giving up 25 with 49 strikeouts in 48.1 innings. His WHIP is 1.43. Griffin is coming off a similar outing, allowing four runs and seven hits in five innings in his last start. He has given up just nine walks with 30 strikeouts this season. His WHIP is just 1.02.
The Rangers picked up their 10th straight win on Friday when they defeated the Tigers 5-3. Texas comes into today’s game 23-20 overall and 7-12 on the road. Detroit is now 20-20 overall and 11-9 at home.
The Tigers were without Miguel Cabrera (oblique) and Victor Martinez (baby) in Friday’s game and both could be out again today. Texas got the early lead, putting up five runs on Daniel Norris in just 5.2 innings for the Detroit pitcher. Nick Martinez lasted just five innings for the Rangers, but he didn’t allow an earned run and allowed Texas to get the lead. Delino DeShields had two hits in three at-bats, as did Ryan Rua. Joey Gallo also had his 13th home run of the season in the victory. J.D. Martinez had a pair of hits to lead the Tigers. He is now hitting .476 in seven games this season.
The Tigers are favored because they have Verlander on the mound, but I don’t think the Tigers’ ace is the answer tonight. Verlander has struggled with pitch counts and walks this season and that should continue against Texas. The Rangers are rolling along with a 10-game win streak and they have yet to lose when Griffin has taken the mound. That alone is enough for me to take them as an underdog.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: TEXAS RANGERS +140