In the first of a three-game series between the Detroit Tigers (59-65) and the Los Angeles Angels (63-61) at Comerica Park, Alfredo Simon (11-7, 4.52 ERA) and Jered Weaver (5-9, 4.34 ERA) get the ball. The game gets underway at 7:08 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 25 and will air on FSDT and FSW.
In his most recent outing, Simon pitched 9.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out five and walking two in a 4-0 victory over the Rangers. Miguel Cabrera (.367, 52 Rs, 16 HRs, 60 RBIs, 1 SB) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run and one RBI. The Angels were also victorious the last time Weaver pitched. He pitched well, going 6.1 innings, giving up zero runs and striking out five in a 1-0 victory over the White Sox. Mike Trout (.297, 80 Rs, 33 HRs, 73 RBIs, 10 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Angels, going 3 for 4 Sunday with one run and one RBI.
Detroit, a +106 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Los Angeles. Oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at eight runs. When playing as the underdog, the Tigers have a 26-36 record and overall money line at -539. The Tigers are an exceptional hitting team with an AL-best 9.6 hits per game.
Across the field, the Angels have a nice record of 46-29 when they are favored, but are -453 overall with the money line. The Angels rank fifth in the AL in road scoring, averaging four runs per game. Los Angeles is one of the top hitting teams in the league with 329 extra base hits. The Angels average just 7.2 strikeouts per game, one of the lowest marks in the AL. Los Angeles’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 6.5 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 4.0.
So far this season, the Angels are 4-0 against the Tigers. The Tigers will take on a right-hander (Weaver) in this game and have a 42-50 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Angels will be the right-hander Simon. They sport a 45-46 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAA, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Los Angeles is 31-18, while Detroit is 28-27.
The Angels managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Tigers who are heading in with a 20-18 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Tigers are 49-16. The Angels have a 45-14 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 19th, Los Angeles sits in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 499 this season. Detroit ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 549.
Ranking 19th, Los Angeles is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 335 this season. Detroit ranks in the top half at 15th with 351.
When the Tigers hit at least one home run, they are 43-31. When the Angels hit at least one homer, they have a 50-30 record.
