Scott Feldman is the most underrated hurler in the AL, and the Rangers righthander will prove that Wednesday night when Texas finishes off their sweep of the Tigers.
The Rangers coasted again on Tuesday as they have now won three straight games and eight of their last nine games. That lone loss came on the road, so they have won six straight games at home to improve to 34-19 at Rangers Ballpark on the season and those 34 victories are tied for second for the most home wins in all of baseball. Looking back further Texas has won 11 of its last 13 games at home.
The Tigers continue to struggle on the road as they have lost seven straight and going back to June 13th, they are 4-15 in their last 19 road games so making them the favorite is not the right call here despite Justin Verlander being on the mound. He is having a great season following a disappointing 2008 campaign as he has posted a 3.12 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 21 starts. Verlander has tossed four straight quality outings, including one at Yankee Stadium, but for the most part he has struggled away from home.
The Detroit ace has a 4.76 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 12 starts with Detroit going just 5-7 in those games. This compares to an 8-1 record in his nine home starts. In nine daytime starts, Verlander has a 1.74 ERA but in 12 starts after the sun sets, he has a 4.24 ERA.
He faces off against Scott Feldman who is still getting no respect from the linesmakers. He has a 3.59 ERA on the season but it is even better since coming into the rotation. In his 17 starts alone, Feldman has a 3.04 ERA and that includes 12 quality starts and a run of six in a row. Texas has won five of those last six starts.
The Tigers are 16-40 in their last 56 road games against a team with a winning record and that includes a 0-4 record in Verlander’s last four. The Rangers are 23-9 in their last 32 home games against a team with a losing road record and they are 5-0 in Feldman’s last five starts as an underdog.
Free Pick: Rangers +108