DETROIT TIGERS @ KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Baseball : North America : MLB
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011, 8:10PM US
(1:10AM GMT)

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PREVIEW

The Tigers open a 2 game series away at Kansas City tonight and will be eager to win as their results now affect their chances of getting home field advantage. Detroit are just 3.5 games behind the New York Yankees in the race for the best record in the AL. Just 1 game behind them are the Texas Rangers, so it's not like they can relax here.

The Detroit Tigers will go with right-handed Brad Penny tonight, who is 10-10 with a 5.07ERA so far. Penny has not been in great form of late at all, giving up an average of 6 runs in his last 4 starts! However, it is his head-to-head against the Royals that has me thinking there is value to betting on Detroit, as they are priced as underdogs.

Penny has won a lot of his matches because the Detroit offence can score more than he gives up. However, in 3 career meetings with Kansas City, Penny has a 1-1 record and a quite respectable 2.70ERA. In May this year, he threw 8 scoreless innings against the Royals. I hope he repays this punt with a similar performance. That or his offence taking advantage of the man pitching for the other team.

That other man will be righty Luis Mendoza. Yep, Kansas City are sending out a pitcher who hasn't started since 2008! He has made a few relief appearances last year, giving up 10 runs in just 4 innings of work. His career record stands at 4-9 with a 8.43ERA.

Maybe it's his 12-5 mark with Omaha in the minors that has led to this line but I think I would always take Detroits offence in a toss up with a pitcher like Mendoza. Keep in mind, Detroit have won 5 of their last 7 meetings in Kansas City, and 9 of their last 13 meetings overall.

TEAM STATS

Detroit Tigers
Overall 89-64, Streak W1

Kansas City Royals
Overall 67-87, Streak L1

BETTING VERDICT

Kansas have won 7 of their last 8 games, which is a great run, but Detroit have a 14-2 record for September after starting the month off with a loss against this very team. Time for payback, and a good old run at the Yankees. They face a pitcher who has not started an MLB game in 3 years. Take Detroit.

The Pick :

Detroit Tigers

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take the Detroit Tigers to win @ 2.10 (Pinnacle)