Justin Verlander (3-6, 3.40 ERA) and the Detroit Tigers (62-73) go up against Cody Anderson (2-3, 4.17 ERA) and the Cleveland Indians (65-69) in the last of a three-game division series at Comerica Park. The Tigers won the last game 6-0 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game gets underway at 1:08 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sep. 6 and will air on STOh and FSDT.
In his last start, Verlander pitched 6.2 innings, allowing two runs (two unearned), striking out four and walking one in a 6-5 victory over the Royals. J.D. Martinez (.287, 78 Rs, 35 HRs, 89 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. The Indians were unsuccessful the last time Anderson pitched. He pitched well, going 6.0 innings, giving up two runs, striking out two and walking two in a 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays. Michael Brantley (.321, 62 Rs, 12 HRs, 75 RBIs, 14 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Detroit is a -143 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. When playing as the favorite, the Tigers have a 34-28 record and overall money line at -1,174. They have SU record of 2-8 and are unbeaten as the favorite (1-0) over their last 10 games. Below average play has been the norm lately for the Detroit pitchers. The Tigers have given up an average of 7.9 runs to opponents in their last 10 games, above their season average of 5.1 runs per game.
On the other side, the Indians have a record of 20-28 when they are the underdog and are -1,395 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 7-3 SU and have a 1-3 record when they were an underdog to win. During the last 10 games, they averaged 5.4 runs per game, above their 4.1 season average. The Indians average 3.4 walks per game, making them one of the most disciplined teams in the AL. Switching gears to Cleveland’s pitching staff, they have the lowest road ERA in the AL at 3.37. They have a WHIP of 1.19, fourth best in the MLB. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in baseball with an AL-high 8.9 strikeouts per game.
The Tigers had the upper hand against the Indians in their previous 14 games this season, earning a 10-4 record. The Tigers will take on a right-hander (Anderson) in this game and have a 43-58 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Indians will be the right-hander Verlander. They sport a 47-41 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – Cle, O/U – Over
Notes
Detroit won its last game in a shutout, its 10th of the season. Cleveland has been shut out nine times this season.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Tigers are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Indians have a 7-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the Tigers are 7-51. The Indians have a 9-50 record when opponents outhit them.
Cleveland ranks near the bottom of the league at 25th when it comes to home runs, hitting 110 this season. Detroit ranks in the top half at 14th with 133.
Detroit ranks at the top of the league when it comes to hits with 9.41 per game this season. Cleveland ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 8.66.
Ranking 16th, Cleveland is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.722). Detroit ranks in the top five at third with an OPS of .755.
The Indians are 39-55 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Tigers are 30-58 when they allow at least one homer.
