.gif&AffUrlID=80){kind=small}
Detroit Tigers (83-68) -120, o/u 9 at Cleveland Indians (88-62), 7:05 pm Eastern Tuesday
by Zman of Predictem.com
The surging Cleveland Indians look to put the finishing touches on an American League Central Division crown when they host the Detroit Tigers for the middle game of a three-game set at Jacobs Field Tuesday night.
Cleveland, winners of 18 of its last 23 games, rallied from a 5-2 eighth-inning deficit Monday night and won the series opener 6-5 on a Casey Blake homer in the bottom of the 11th. So the Indians now lead the Central by 5½ games over second-place Detroit.
The Tigers, who had won five games in a row before Monday night, also fell 3½ games back of the New York Yankees in the AL wild-card race.
The Tribe is now also in a race for home-field advantage in the American League playoffs. Cleveland is now just a game and a half back (as are the Los Angeles Angels) of the Boston Red Sox for the best record in the American League.
The Indians lead the season series with Detroit ten games to six this year, with the o/u going 10-6.
Justin Verlander (17-5, 3.47) gets the start Tuesday night for the Tigers vs. Jake Westbrook (5-9, 4.38) for Cleveland.
Verlander has been lights out recently; in his last four starts, V has allowed just three ER and 29 baserunners in 28 2/3 IP. Detroit went 4-0 in those starts, the o/u 1-3. On the season, the Tigers are 21-8 in Verlander's starts, the o/u 17-10.
But in four starts vs. the Tribe this season, Verlander has been clipped for 18 ER and 35 baserunners in 22 IP. Detroit is 1-3 in those starts, the o/u 4-0.
Westbrook has given up nine ER and 32 baserunners in his last 18 2/3 IP. Cleveland has lost his last three starts, and is 11-11 in Westbrook's starts this year, the o/u a somewhat surprising 6-15.
Westbrook has started twice this season vs. the Tigers, allowing five ER and 19 baserunners in 14 IP. The Indians are 1-1 in those games, the o/u 1-1.
Detroit owns a .344 team OBP this season, which ranks sixth-best in the majors, and is averaging 5.5 runs per game.
Cleveland ranks seventh with its .343 team OBP, and is averaging 5.0 RPG.
The Tigers bullpen has allowed six ER and 22 baserunners in its last 15 1/3 IP. But four of those ER came in 3 1/3 IP Monday night.
The Indians pen has given up just two ER on 12 baserunners in its last 11 1/3 IP.
The o/u is 76-66 in Detroit games this season, 69-76 in Cleveland games and 36-37 at Jacobs Field, where games are averaging 10.0 RPG.
Zman's Pick: With Justin Verlander being lights out lately, how can we not take the under here? Most sportsbooks are carrying the total at 9 under -120. Good luck!
Editor's Picks - Free daily picks from our in-house umpire who grinds out profits by mostly playing underdogs.
Expert MLB Baseball Picks - Get free daily winning predictions from professional sports handicappers!
Dog of the Day - Each day we go to bat as your designated hitter and select what we believe to be the best underdog bet on the board!
Favorite of the Day - We'll predict the best favorite to bet on each day while trying to not get hit by a pitch! (The Vigorish)
Over/Under of the Day - Wagering on totals are underrated! There's a reason books have lower limits on them... because their easier to beat! We assess the wind, rain, umpire tendencies and a bunch of other variables in our quest to smash the bookie!
Line Movement - We're constantly on the phone in the dugout keeping an eye on line moves and steam plays. Is it public action or a steam play? Posted each afternoon by 5PM EST.
Consensus Picks - Check here daily to see what the public is betting and which games make good fades based on that information.
MLB Trends - Let the trend be your friend, but don't solely base your bet on it! MLB is one of few sports that trends actually have some value. We dig out the ones that "make cents."
Dimeline Sportsbooks - If your not betting at a sportsbook that offers dimlines your wasting money!
Overnight Lines - Bet on tomorrows games tonight. Get better value with opening lines and odds before the sharps hit them and suck the value out.
5Dimes - Offers 10 cent lines and college baseball betting!
Alternative Runlines - Also +2.5 runlines which turns MLB into a point spread sport!
Rules - Innings requirements, listed pitchers, action, rainouts, suspended games. We cover it all!
What is Whip in Baseball? - Ever seen the world WHIP associated with baseball stats? It's one of the most important factors in handicapping. Increase your winning percentage today by reading this article!
How do you Calculate ERA? - We've got the answer to a stat question asked by many.
How to Calculate Batting Average - We all know what it is but but how do you calculate it? Click and learn.
What is... - Answers to MANY questions regarding America's pastime and from around the diamond.
Famous Baseball Quotes - From Yogi Berra to Casey Stengel, we list some of the greatest words ever spoken on the diamond.