MLB Baseball
2012-04-18 - Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: Major League Baseball
Wednesday 18 April 2012 - First Pitch 8:10pm ET
1:10am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Detroit Tigers (8-3) will look to complete the sweep over their American League Central rivals and they will also hope they can get their bats heating up ahead of the big series against the Texas Rangers coming up. The Kansas City Royals (3-8) have lost Luke Hochevar, who was the expected starter, for a couple of weeks as they look to get back on track.
Detroit have one of the most powerful batting line ups in the Major Leagues but they have totalled just 6 runs in their first two games of the series here, although that has not prevented them from winning the games. That means they have only surpassed 3 runs in one of their last five games.
They may need to get something going if they are to avoid defeat here as they send Max Scherzer and his 0-1, 10.38 ERA record to the mound. The pitcher was tagged heavily by the Boston Red Sox in his first start of the season, but was given plenty of run support in a 13-12 win.
However, he wasn't offered much help in his last start as he gave up 3 runs in 6 innings pitched against the Chicago White Sox and he took the decision loss in a 5-2 defeat. Scherzer gave up 2 runs in 5 innings in his last start against the Kansas City Royals last season.
Kansas City have now lost 6 games in a row and will look to avoid their longest losing run in almost 2 years. They had given up 32 runs in 3 games against the Cleveland Indians but the pitching staff have tightened up against the Tigers, even though they have struggled at the plate.
They may need to improve their at bats if Jonathan Sanchez cannot get better command from his last start as he comes in on short rest. Sanchez is 1-0 with an 8.22 ERA this season, but he gave up 5 runs in under 3 innings pitched last time out, although he did not take the decision loss.
It will be the first start for Sanchez against the Tigers since 2008 as a San Francisco Giant, giving up 3 runs from 7 innings pitched in a 5-1 loss.
Head to Head
The Tigers won the 2011 season series 11-7, going 6-3 here in Kansas City.
Detroit's two wins this season means they are now 6-2 in the last 8 games played at Kauffman Stadium.
Kansas City are 1-2 in Game 3's this season, 0-1 after a loss.
Detroit have won all 3 Game 3's they have played this season including the only one after a win.
Prediction
The Detroit Tigers' bats have been a little quiet recently, but I think they may find a way to get things going today as they face a pitcher that has struggled with his command in his last start and is coming off short rest.
Detroit should get more out of Max Scherzer who was tagged in his opening start, but looked much better in his last one against the Chicago White Sox despite taking the loss.
Kansas City won't want to be swept in this series, but it could be a tough task for them to keep this close as they too have struggled with their bats in the last two games and I am going to take the Tigers on the run line, something they would have covered twice already if not for a 9th inning single for the Royals in Game 1.
The Pick :
Kansas City Royals 3-6 Detroit Tigers
