MLB Betting Preview
Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians
Posted: August 14, 2007
By SBG Global
7:05 pm Eastern
Opening Line: Indians -145, Total 9 Flat
A huge series in the American League Central gets underway on Tuesday as the Cleveland Indians host the Detroit Tigers. Neither team has played that well of late. "We're similar," Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro said, "in that we're both probably disappointed in our play the last few weeks." SBG Global reports that early betting has the public taking the
favored Indians at home.
"When we play other teams, I don't feel our division is any worse," Shapiro said. "But when I look at the records, I'm a little surprised."
The series is just a short two game series but it is important and the Indians are better prepared for it than Detroit. Cleveland has their top two pitchers going in C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona. "Our fate is not going to be determined by who we play," Shapiro said. "It's going to be determined by how we play."
Sabathia comes into Tuesday’s game at 14-6 with an ERA of 3.52. Sabathia left with the lead in his last start against the White Sox but the bullpen let it get away. He is 2-1 with a 7.36 ERA against the Tigers this season. Detroit counters with Jeremy Bonderman who is 10-5 and has an ERA of 4.75 this season. He suffered his fourth loss in a row in his last outing, allowing seven earned runs to Tampa Bay. In those losses, he has given up 28 earned runs in 22 1/3 innings. The Indians hope to have Travis Hafner back in the lineup Tuesday. He's been out with a knee inflammation and mild hamstring strain in his left leg.
SBG Global Current Line: Indians -145, Total 9 Flat
Looking ahead, Detroit manager Jim Leyland has named right-hander Jair Jurrjens as his starter for Wednesday game. It will be Jurrjens' Major League debut as he takes Kenny Rogers' place in the rotation. Jurrjens was 7-5 with a 3.20 ERA in 19 starts at Double-A Erie, where he struck out 94 and walked 31 over 112 2/3 innings. "[Jurrjens has] been throwing well and he's pitching Wednesday," Leyland said. "Don't ask me what's going to happen after that because I don't have a clue."
Rogers is on the 15-day disabled list with a sore left elbow but he played long toss on Monday. The left-hander is expected to pitch a side session on Wednesday and could come off the DL as early as the end of the week.
Here were the betting statistics heading into Monday’s action. The Tigers are 16-7 in their last 23 road games vs. a left-handed starter. The Tigers are 5-12 in their last 17 overall. The Tigers are 2-5 in their last 7 Tuesday games. The Tigers are 1-5 in their last 6 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Tigers are 1-6 in their last 7 road games. The Tigers are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. the American League Central. The Tigers are 13-3 in Bonderman's last 16 starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Tigers are 6-2 in Bonderman's last 8 road starts. The Tigers are 8-3 in Bonderman's last 11 Tuesday starts. The Tigers are 0-4 in Bonderman's last 4 starts. The Tigers are 6-2 in Bonderman's last 8 road starts vs. the Indians.
The Indians are 1-4 in their last 5 overall. The Indians are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record. The Indians are 1-7 in their last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Indians are 1-7 in their last 8 home games.
The Indians are 11-1 in Sabathia's last 12 Tuesday starts. The Indians are 12-4 in Sabathia's last 16 home starts. The Indians are 2-5 in Sabathia's last 7 starts overall. The Indians are 1-4 in Sabathia's last 5 starts vs. the American League Central. The Indians are 1-4 in Sabathia's last 5 home starts vs. the Tigers.
The Over is 19-7-3 in the Tigers last 29 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Over is 5-1-1 in Bonderman's last 7 starts with 4 days of rest. The Over is 12-4-2 in Bonderman's last 18 starts overall. The Over is 6-2-1 in Bonderman's last 9 road starts. The Under is 5-2 in Bonderman's last 7 starts vs. the American League Central. The Over is 9-4-1 in Bonderman's last 14 starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Over is 8-2 in Bonderman's last 10 road starts vs. the Indians.
The Under is 4-1 in the Indians last 5 Tuesday games. The Under is 6-2-1 in the Indians last 9 vs. the American League Central. The Under is 6-2 in the Indians last 8 home games. The Under is 6-2 in the Indians last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 10-4-1 in the Indians last 15 overall. The Under is 5-2 in the Indians last 7 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 8-2 in Sabathia's last 10 Tuesday starts. The Over is 5-2-1 in Sabathia's last 8 starts vs. the American League Central. The Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Cleveland. The Over is 6-2 in Sabathia's last 8 home starts vs. the Tigers.
Pick Indians 4 units out of 5
