Matt Boyd (1-5, 7.40 ERA) and the Detroit Tigers (71-81) meet Mike Pelfrey (6-10, 4.16 ERA) and the Minnesota Twins (78-74) in the first of a three-game division series at Comerica Park. The game gets underway at 7:08 p.m. ET on Friday, Sep. 25 and will air on FSDT and FSN.
In his last start, Boyd pitched 6.0 innings, giving up two runs, striking out six and walking one in a 6-5 loss to the Royals. Yoenis Cespedes (.292, 99 Rs, 35 HRs, 105 RBIs, 7 SBs) played well again Wednesday, going 2 for 4 with one run and two RBIs. The Twins were unsuccessful to the Angels 5-2 the last time Pelfrey pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing four runs and striking out one. Brian Dozier (.240, 99 Rs, 28 HRs, 72 RBIs, 11 SBs) has been doing well, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Detroit, a -116 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Minnesota. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is eight runs. When playing as the favorite, the Tigers have a 36-30 record and overall money line at -769. They have performed well against their division to earn an SU record of 39-30 and a 22-9 record when they were the favorite. The Tigers are a superb hitting team with an AL-best 9.4 hits per game.
Across the field, the Twins have a record of 60-58 when they are the underdog and are +2,088 overall with the money line. They have played at the top of their game when rated as the underdog as of late. They managed a 3-1 record when playing as the underdog and an SU record of 5-5.
The Tigers have mostly come out on top against the Twins in their previous 16 games this season, earning a 10-6 record. The Tigers will take on a right-hander (Pelfrey) in this game and have a 51-66 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Boyd will take the mound against the Twins, who have a 27-26 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Det, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Detroit is 34-36, while Minnesota is 26-29.
The Twins managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Tigers who are heading in with a 9-6 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Tigers are 59-19. The Twins have a 55-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Both falling in the top half of the league based on total runs this season, Detroit ranks 13th with 655 runs and Minnesota is 12th with 659.
Ranking 22nd, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 405 this season. Detroit ranks in the bottom half at 18th with 428.
When the Tigers hit at least one home run, they are 51-35. When the Twins hit at least one homer, they have a 60-35 record.
