Tigers vs. D’Backs Pick
Will the Detroit Tigers continue to have struggles in their bullpen when they face the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight at 9:40PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, this game is considered even, as both teams are getting odds of -105 to win. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 8.5 runs.
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The Tigers have Justin Verlander (2-2, 4.21 ERA) on the mound to face Robbie Ray (2-2, 3.47) of the Diamondbacks. Verlander has been mostly strong this season, but a 9-run outing in mid-April has hurt his ERA significantly. His WHIP is just 1.35 and he has 35 strikeouts with 17 walks. Ray has been pretty consistent. He has a WHIP of 1.27 while allowing 14 earned runs in 36.1 innings. He has 49 strikeouts with 18 walks.
The Tigers are coming off back-to-back losses at Oakland to fall to 15-15 overall and 6-8 on the road. Detroit held the lead in the ninth innings in both losses, but Francisco Rodriguez blew a save twice, giving him four for the season. Detroit is putting up 5 runs per game but allowing 5.17. Their team ERA is 4.83 and team WHIP 1.47. K-Rod now has an 8.49 ERA over 11.2 innings of work. Alex Avila has been leading the team at the plate with a .360 average while Nicholas Castellanos has driven in a team-high 19 RBI. Detroit could be without Ian Kinsler today, as he is still battling a hamstring injury.
Arizona is coming off a six-game road trip where it went 2-4. The Diamondbacks are 18-15 overall and 12-5 at home. Arizona is averaging 4.82 runs per game while allowing just 4.18. Paul Goldschmidt is leading the team with seven home runs and 26 RBI while Jake Lamb has seven home runs and 23 RBI.
The Tigers have serious questions at closer. But, the team has Verlander on the mound tonight. He is their ace and knows the team is in a funk. He should have another solid, 7-inning outing to keep the Diamondbacks at bay. Ray has been pretty good as well, but the Detroit lineup is putting up a strong run total. Look for the Tigers to grind out the win thanks to Verlander’s pitching.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: DETROIT TIGERS -105