MLB Baseball
2012-07-24 - Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: Major League Baseball
Tuesday 24 July 2012 - First Pitch 7:05pm ET
12:05am (British Standard Time)
Preview
As we get closer to August, Divisional series take on more importance and that is the case in the tight American League Central. The Detroit Tigers (52-44) are currently leading the Division after sweeping the Chicago White Sox over the weekend and they also hold a 4 game lead over the Cleveland Indians (48-48).
This is the start of a three game series to be played at Progressive Field and there are still twelve games to go between the two rivals in the 2012 season. It is not under-statement to suggest that those twelve games will go a long way in deciding which of these teams, if any, get to the post-season this year.
Detroit were supposed to be the clear favourites to win the Division at the beginning of the season, but they didn't have a great first half of the season. However, that all seems to be changing and this game represents a chance for them to have their second six game winning run in July.
To that end, the Tigers give the ball to Doug Fister with his 4-6 record and his 4.04 ERA this season, although he has been even better in recent games where he has gone 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA in his last three starts.
The pitcher has also found some success against Cleveland recently as he has a 3-0 record and a 1.21 ERA from his last four meetings against them.
Cleveland have not had a great month and have not recorded back-to-back wins this July 5th. They did snap a four game losing streak with a win over Baltimore last night, but it looks like they are going to need Ubaldo Jimenez to return to the form that has seen him beat Detroit twice over the last couple of months.
Jimenez has a 8-9 record this season and a 5.24 ERA, but he has allowed just four runs in a little under 13 innings pitched against the Tigers this season. However, the pitcher's last two starts has seen him give up 13 runs and issue 9 walks in just 8 innings pitched.
Head to Head
Cleveland have dominated the season series between the two teams this season, going 5-1 so far in 2012.
The Indians swept a home series against the Tigers earlier this season, but they had lost four in a row in the series here before that. However, Cleveland have an impressive 16-4 home record against Detroit in recent games at home.
Cleveland are 25-24 at home this season, Detroit are 24-23 on the road.
Prediction
The Detroit Tigers have really had a tough time against the Cleveland Indians this season, but I think they may just reverse some of their fortunes in this game one of the series.
Ubaldo Jimenez has played really well against the Tigers in the two starts against them over the last couple of months, but he has been struggling in the last week or so and I think this is as hot as the Tigers batting line up has been.
The Tigers will also have a pitcher that has given Cleveland some problems and that may be enough to keep this close and allow their powerful batting line up to make the difference in the game.
Detroit look at just a good enough price to tempt me in.
The Pick :
Cleveland Indians 3-4 Detroit Tigers
