The Detroit Tigers cruised in Monday’s 8-2 victory against the Texas Rangers, cashing as 137 underdogs to open the road set. Tuesday’s rematch has Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish slated to oppose Tigers southpaw Drew Smyly.
Darvish goes eight at Petco
Darvish notched a second straight win in Wednesday’s 4-2 triumph for Texas as a 176 road favorite against the San Diego Padres. The 25-year-old allowed both of San Diego’s runs, giving up five hits over eight innings (122 pitches).
Rangers infielders Michael Young and Alberto Gonzalez logged one RBI each, uniting to hit 2-for-8. The duo’s mates Alberto Gonzalez and Nelson Cruz were held to a combined 1-for-8, leaving eight men on base.
The battle’s six runs dipped below the closing ‘total’ of seven, making the UNDER 3-1 in Darvish’s last four starts. Rangers closer Joe Nathan picked up his 15th save, allowing one hit in the final frame.
Smyly returns off the DL
Smyly last pitched on June 10, recording a no-decision in Detroit’s 7-6 victory as a 119 road dog against the Cincinnati Reds. The rookie gave up three runs in three innings, including a solo shot homer to Cincinnati’s Zack Cozart.
Detroit rallied with four runs in the eighth inning, including Austin Jackson cracking a two-run ground rule double. Tigers outfielder Matt Young capped off the scoring surge, reaching home on a wild pitch from Reds hurler Aroldis Chapman.
The contest’s combined 13 runs leaped above the ‘total’ of nine, lifting the OVER to 6-3 in Smyly’s last nine outings. Tigers reliever Brayan Villarreal notched his staff’s win, while mates Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde recorded a hold and save, respectively.
The best team in baseball, the Rangers, are prohibitive favorites in this game, MLB odds makers currently pegging them at -185. The total is set at 10.
Back the UNDER in TexasTuesday’s first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. (ET). Arlington’s weather forecast calls for another 90 degree evening, with calm winds blowing left to right.
I am adding the UNDER again here, staying on the same train from the past two days at Rangers Ballpark. Monday’s victory for Detroit moved the UNDER to 6-0 in the team’s last six games against right-handed starters while cashing UNDER tickets at 3-1 in the first four contests of Texas’ homestand.
Both starters notched respectable outings in Detroit, giving up one earned run apiece when these foes first met in April. Darvish allowed just two hits over 6 1/3 innings, while Smyly tossed seven strikeouts in a six frame stint.
Darvish has been stingy at home, combining to give up nine earned runs over his past five starts (34 1/3 IP) at Rangers Ballpark. The span included 8 1/3 frames of shutout ball against the New York Yankees, with 10 strikeouts run up facing Derek Jeter and Co.
Smyly has held foes to a .285 OBP in his seven road outings, leading to a 3.89 ERA in that stretch. Texas has had some disparity at home against left-handed pitching, hitting just .241 against southpaws while held to 3.7 runs per nine innings.
Umpire Gary Darling is slated to call the balls and strikes, with the UNDER collecting at 3-0 in the California native’s last trio of outings. Detroit has seen the UNDER cash at an 11-5 clip in its last 16 spots that followed giving up two runs or less in their prior game.
Look for UNDER backers to get the money again here, taking advantage of another inflated ‘total’ between these rivals.