Randy Wolf (0-1, 3.86 ERA) and Matt Shoemaker (5-9, 4.76 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Detroit Tigers (60-66) and the Los Angeles Angels (64-62) at Comerica Park. The Tigers won the last game 5-0 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 1:08 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 27 and can be seen on FSDT and FSW.
Wolf pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs (one unearned) and striking out five in a 5-3 defeat to the Rangers. J.D. Martinez (.291, 76 Rs, 34 HRs, 87 RBIs, 2 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. Shoemaker went 1.2 innings, surrendering six runs and walking three in a 9-4 defeat to the Royals in his most recent start.
Los Angeles takes on Detroit as a -120 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at nine runs. The Tigers have an overall money line of -739 and a record as the underdog of 26-38. The Tigers lead the AL in hits with an impressive 9.6 per game.
Over in the other dugout, in contrast to a worrisome overall money line (-353), Los Angeles has an impressive 47-29 record when playing as the favorite. Offensively, they average four runs per game on the road, which is fourth in the AL. The Angels have a dynamic offense, ranking fourth in the league with 333 extra base hits. Los Angeles is excellent at not striking out with just 7.1 per game, ranking fifth in the AL. The Angels allow 4.1 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 6.8 runs per game during that span.
The Angels have controlled the season series, 5-1. The Tigers have a 17-14 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Shoemaker takes the mound. Wolf (LHP) will be on the hill against the Angels, who have an 18-15 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAA, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Los Angeles is 32-18, while Detroit is 28-28.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Angels are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Tigers have a 10-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they outhit their opponents, the Tigers are 50-17. The Angels have a 45-14 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 21st, Los Angeles sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 507 this season. Detroit ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 561.
Ranking 19th, Los Angeles is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 342 this season. Detroit ranks in the top half at 15th with 358.
When the Tigers hit at least one home run, they are 44-32. When the Angels hit at least one homer, they have a 51-30 record.
