The Tigers hit a snag which saw them loss ground in the AL Central and wildcard races, but Detroit has a nice matchup this weekend—particularly on Saturday—to gain some ground against a struggling Angels team.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
Detroit took two of three when these teams met in Los Angeles and are well positioned to take this series in the mid-west as well.
The Tigers have struggled a bit recently, getting swept by Seattle and Kansas City earlier this month. The team was able to salvage a four game split against Boston recently, however, and took the first game of a three-game series against Minnesota on Tuesday.
Detroit’s struggles are nothing compared to the Angels’ recent stretch. They’ve won three of their last seven which looks like a dominant stretch compared to the 11 straight losses immediately prior to that.
The Angels are just out manned. They’ve not nothing left in the rotation outside of Matt Shoemaker, a depleted bullpen and an offense with only three real contributors.
In terms of overall value to bettors this year, the Angels have been the second worst bet in the AL behind Tampa Bay with a total moneyline of a -$2,113 while the Tigers are second best behind Texas at $1,222.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
For the Tigers on Saturday, they’ll turn to the likely Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award contender: Michael Fulmer.
The 23-year old right-hander is making it look easy at the big league level, going 10-4 while leading the AL in ERA at 2.58 through his 20 starts.
Overall, he’s tossed 125 2/3 big league innings while posting a WHIP of 1.058, due largely to an opponent batting average of .218. Fulmer has shown good control for a rookie as well.
Most recently, Fulmer had his worst start of the year, allowing six runs on 10 hits in five and two-thirds innings against Boston so it’ll be interesting to see how he rebounds.
While the Angels have Mike Trout, the rest of the order isn’t nearly as strong as Boston’s lineup so that should give him a reprieve. In his only start against Los Angeles this year, Fulmer went seven and two thirds, allowing two hits and two walks but no runs.
While the Angels haven’t announced their starters for the Tigers series, Fulmer figures to matchup against the 28-year old Jhoulys Chacin who worked his way back into the rotation earlier this month.
Chacin is coming off a strong outing against the Yankees, allowing six hits and a walk without giving up a run in five and two-thirds innings, earning his fourth win of the season.
The veteran right-hander started his season in Atlanta, going 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in five starts, before being dealt to Los Angeles. Since arriving on the west coast, Chacin is 3-6 with a 5.68 ERA and 1.579 WHIP in 82 1/3 innings split between 13 starts and eight relief appearances. As a starter, Chacin has a 6.21 ERA, but in 17 2/3 relief innings, he’s pitched to a 2.55 ERA.
Chacin also struggles on the road, going 1-6 with a 6.75 road ERA here in 2016.
LIVE BETTING
It has been a bad year for Justin Upton. He looked to be getting back to form a month ago before faltering again.
The struggles earned him a break from Brad Ausmus, but since his little hiatus, he’s been good in three games, collecting two hits in each and slamming four extra base hits including a two home run game where he drove in six.
If Upton can at least be a threat in the order that helps a lineup that’s otherwise stacked thanks to Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, Cameron Maybin, J.D. Martinez an Victor Martinez all with an OPS+ of at least 115.
In addition to them, the newly acquired Erick Aybar has been very good at shortstop since coming over. He’s hitting .292 in six games with a homer and two doubles as he fills in for the injured Jose Iglesias.
The Tigers’ order is certainly deeper than the one in Los Angeles. Trout, of course, remains one of the game’s best—if not the best—hitters. He’s batting .309 with 23 home runs and a .970 OPS and Albert Pujols has provided power alongside him while Kole Calhoun continues to be a strong, yet underrated player.
Other than them, C.J. Cron is back from the disabled list and has a .786 OPS on the year, but the rest of the lineup remains a big question mark, particularly with Yunel Escobar sidelined with a concussion.
QUICK PICK
With a Cy Young contender on the mound for Detroit and a lineup filled with holes for Los Angeles, this is quite the mismatch.
Look for the Tigers’ deep lineup to find success against Chacin who’s been downright awful as a starter this year. He’s miscast in that role and doesn’t have the stuff to get hitters out multiple times through the order.
As for the bullpens, the Tigers’ pen does allow the Angels an opportunity to get into the game if they’re able to drive up Fulmer’s pitch count, but the Angels’ pen isn’t any better so there’s still no real advantage there.
MLB Odds: Tigers 7, Angels 2
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers is scheduled for Saturday, August 27, 2016, at 7:10 p.m. ET at Comerica Park. The contest will be televised nationally on FS1.
