Manny Machado is working his way into the conversation that currently includes Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. The Orioles third baseman is among the best in the game and is off to a blistering start. He and the O’s have an opportunity to pad their stats against the struggling Mike Pelfrey when the Tigers visit for the first of four in Baltimore.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
Things are getting testy in Detroit following a seven-game losing streak that has the Tigers slipping fast in the AL Central. During the slide the Tigers were outscored 48-20 and surrendered at least four runs in each contest. But that stretch of inept play came to an end on Tuesday with a 5-4 victory over the Nationals. Still, manager Brad Ausmus is on the hot seat and considering the investment the club made during the offseason, it’s hard to imagine him being at the helm much longer if the losing persists.
The fact is we’re only 31 games in and firing Ausmus would quality as a dramatic shakeup, but would the Tigers suddenly get a spark by replacing him? Detroit’s record isn’t much different than that of the Blue Jays, Royals and Yankees. But the back to back sweeps by the Indians and Rangers were particularly disturbing, with all six losses by four runs or more.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 6.23 ERA) continued to struggle taking a no-decision in a loss to the Rangers on Saturday. He allowed seven hits, including three home runs, and five earned runs in five innings. He gave up back-to-back homers to open the game, but settled into a decent groove until he imploded in the span of three batters in the sixth inning.
The no-decision extended Pelfrey’s streak of winless starts to 14 and his ERA climbed to 6.23 after giving up five earned runs in a third consecutive game. “I’m embarrassed. I know that I’m better than this,” Pelfrey said after Saturday’s game. The Tigers are likely to let him work through his current slump – they owe him too much money to do anything else.
Mike Wright (1-3, 5.83 ERA) was knocked around in Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader with the Athletics, surrendering five runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings of work to get tagged with the loss. The line looked worse after a pair of inherited runners scored in the sixth. Still, Wright will need to turn things around or his spot in the rotation could be at risk.
This will be Wright’s first start against the Tigers. He pitched a scoreless inning of relief last season.
LIVE BETTING
It was the right move and one that shows us just how good Manny Machado is. In the ninth inning of Tuesday’s game at Minnesota, the Twins intentionally walked the O’s third baseman with the game tied to pitch to Adam Jones. That strategy wouldn’t have entered the thought process of opposing managers in the past, but Machado is a different player this year.
Following up Sunday’s game where he clubbed a pair of homers, including a grand slam, and drove in six, Machado was a monster in the opener against the Twins. Machado went 3 for 3 with his third home run in two games and walked twice, reaching base in all five plate appearances. You can’t blame opposing pitchers for avoiding him, as he’s been tearing the cover off the ball all season. With seven multi-hit games in his last 10, Machado’s line is .365/.424/.722 with 10 homers and 26 driven in.
QUICK PICK
Even with a pitching staff that was, and still is, a big question mark, the Orioles are clinging to the top of the AL East. They’re doing it behind an offense that has been really good. Machado is an absolute stud and Mark Trumbo has been a find.
The offense can be even better if Adam Jones and Chris Davis can get their acts together and climb above the Mendoza Line. Pelfrey just might be the cure for their hitting woes. The Tigers righty carries an elevated 6.23 ERA and opponents are batting .355 against him this year.
MLB Odds: Baltimore 7, Detroit 5
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