MLB Odds - Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers Game Preview

2017-MLB-Indians-at-Tigers-(FOX)-betting-Odds

If your favorite baseball team isn't playing tonight, make the games more interesting by betting on MLB odds at BookMaker Sportsbook! This is the only online wagering outlet that offers early MLB moneylines, runlines and totals. First pitch for the game between the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers is scheduled for Saturday, July 1, 2017, at 1:10 p.m. ET at Comerica Park. The matchup will be televised regionally on FOX.

The Detroit Tigers have ended their eight-game losing streak, but the losses still linger in the record and we could see this team begin to dismantle at the trade deadline unless they put together a run. It’s asking a lot to put a run together against the Cleveland Indians. Cleveland owned Detroit last year, going 14-4. The Tigers are 4-2 against the Indians here in 2017.

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ODDS ANALYSIS

While the Tigers and Indians both haven’t been playing their best baseball, there are signs that Cleveland is about to get hot.

The Indians have finally broken into first place in the AL Central and with Michael Brantley back, Edward Encarnacion swinging the bat like expected and Jose Ramirez rolling, there are certainly several positives for this team.

On the flip side, the Tigers have been dealing with several under-performing players all year.

Victor Martinez is back and healthy which should help this sluggish lineup. Martinez, however, is aging like most this team.

Miguel Cabrera is still a generational talent and one of the best right-handed hitters in history, but he’s been far more pedestrian this year. He’s now hitting just .261 with nine homers and 37 RBIs. Those are okay numbers, but not what you expect from a former Triple Crown winner.

Interestingly, these two teams were separated by just one run scored through their first 76 games, the difference ultimately being a single home run.

In June, the difference has been more noticeable. The Indians rank No. 6 in runs scored, the Tigers are No. 17.

PROBABLE PITCHERS

Carlos Carrasco will take the ball for the Indians in this game. He’s looking to bounce back from an eight-run, 3.1-inning showing against the Rangers in his last start.

Despite the last start, the right-hander has had a strong season overall. He’s 8-3 with a 3.67 ERA. He is averaging fewer than six innings per start, but he’s doing a solid job limiting base runners. He’s got a 1.081 WHIP and is striking out more than a batter per innings with 95 strikeouts in 92.2 innings of work.

After injuries robbed him of a chance to pitch in the postseason last year, he’s already earned his keep this year with a 2.4 rWAR to date. Prior to his blowout loss on Monday, he had delivered three straight starts with only three combined runs in 17.2 innings.

In his only start against the Tigers this year, Carrasco went 6.2 innings, allowing two runs though he did walk five. Over his career, he’s been up and down against the rivals from Detroit. In 21 games, including 16 starts, he’s 7-7 with a 4.65 ERA and 1.539 WHIP. Control has been the issue that’s plagued him against the Tigers with 31 walks in 89 innings.

On the other side, the Tigers have yet to announce their rotation for the series. ESPN currently lists Buck Farmer as the probable starter, coming back from Triple-A after his demotion.

The swingman has been up and down for the last few years. He’s made four starts for the Tigers this year and has a 6.62 ERA and is 2-1. Over his career, he’s 2-7 with a 6.80 ERA in parts of four seasons. In Toledo this year, Farmer has made 11 starts, going 2-3 with a 3.59 ERA and 1.227 WHIP.

While Farmer’s numbers leave plenty to be desired in his four-big league starts this year, it’s really a tale of two players. Farmer’s first two starts this year were great. He went 13 combined innings, allowing no runs and six hits while striking out 16. Then, in his next to starts, he was knocked out in the third inning in both, giving up 13 runs in 4.2 innings, allowing 14 hits and five home runs.

Whether they go with Farmer in this game or look elsewhere, the end result is the same: it’ll be one of the Indians’ better arms against a fill-in starter for Detroit.

LIVE BETTING

The Tigers need to get an early lead and beat up on Carrasco to have a chance in this game.

If this comes down to the bullpens, there is no question who comes out ahead.

Cleveland has the best pen in baseball. The Tigers have one of the worst. They’ve already let their Opening Day closer, Francisco Rodriguez, go and while Justin Wilson has been okay as a fill-in, the rest of the pen has been a mess. The Tigers have cycled through seemingly countless options, all have failed. Even Shane Greene and Alex Wilson are struggling.

Meanwhile, the Tribe has a plethora of quality options for Terry Francona night in and night out.

Yes, Andrew Miller had a hiccup a little while ago, but he’s still lights out and can be used in high leverage situations anytime in the game. Then Cody Allen is a better option in the ninth than Wilson. Add in Bryan Shaw, Boone Logan, Nick Goody and so many others and it turns into an embarrassment of riches.

QUICK PICK

Pitching wins games and there’s no question the pitching edge lies with the Indians. Sure, Carrasco had a bad game his last time out, but he’s a top-of-the-rotation starter going up against a depth guy. Then, once the bullpens get involved, the differential between these teams only gets bigger.

At the plate, we’ve also see the Tribe outscore the Tigers this month.

While the Tigers are better at home than on the road, the Indians are playing better baseball overall and have a far better matchup on Saturday.

MLB Odds: Indians 8, Tigers 4

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