Verlander responsible for saving Tigers’ year
The last battle at Turner Field will feature meaningful baseball after all. Visiting Detroit simply hopes that the final score extends its 2016 season.
At 86-74, the Tigers’ playoff prospects hang by the thinnest gossamer. Brad Ausmus’ club can’t fall either to Atlanta today or in a possible makeup contest vs. Cleveland tomorrow. Trailing in the American League wild-card race by 1 ½ games, they also need Baltimore and Toronto to falter this afternoon.
One concrete fact in a sea of scenarios: The leader of Detroit’s rotation draws the assignment against the Braves. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives Justin Verlander & Co. odds of -155 to triumph. The hosts, on the other hand, represent +140 underdogs.
About 14 hours ago, the Tigers dropped a game behind the Orioles and Jays in the loss column. In a must-win setting though, they’re ecstatic to send Verlander to the bump. The 33-year-old paces the AL in strikeouts (246) and WHIP (1.00). He boasts a 1.93 ERA in five September turns, too. Essentially, opposing hurler Julio Teheran had better bring his finest stuff.
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Yet Brian Snitker’s ace hasn’t looked quite right since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 19. Teheran carries a 4.86 ERA over his past eight appearances, experiencing particular difficulty in the Peach State. He’s only 1-2 with a 1.27 WHIP in seven home outings following the All-Star break.
Fortunately for the Colombia native, Atlanta’s bats are ending the campaign on an extremely positive note. The squad owns victories in 11 of its last 13 tilts and should be plenty motivated to spoil the Tigers’ chances. But we won’t doubt a reinvigorated Verlander, whose reputation for clutch performances precedes him.
SUNDAY MLB FREE PICK: TIGERS/BRAVES UNDER 8 RUNS