MLB Baseball
2012-05-16 - Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: Major League Baseball
Wednesday 16 May 2012 - First Pitch 7:05pm ET
12:05am (British Standard Time)
Preview
These two American League Central rivals open up a two game series at Comerica Park tonight as the Detroit Tigers (18-18) look to build on their win over the Chicago White Sox last night as they entertain the Minnesota Twins (10-26) who have really been struggling of late.
Detroit have had a disappointing start to the season as their batting line up has failed to find any consistency, but there may be signs that they are finding their way. The Tigers were down 6-0 yesterday in Chicago, but came back with 10 runs to steal the win just a day after blowing a lead in a 7-5 loss to the White Sox.
They may need to continue to hit and score runs of Rick Porcello's last start is anything to go by. Porcello is 3-3 with a 5.18 ERA this season and he gave up 4 runs and 3 walks in 5 innings against the Oakland Athletics in his last outing.
However, Porcello had won his previous two starts with a 2.51 ERA, while he has performed well against the Twins in recent starts against them. The pitcher is 5-1 from his last six starts and he has a 2.61 ERA in those games against Minnesota.
Minnesota have really been struggling this season and they were beaten by the Cleveland Indians last night as they were swept in a two game set. However, they could been given a boost with the returning Justin Morneau who should be back in the starting line up to aid their batting line up after coming off the Disabled List.
The Twins have scored more than 4 runs in just 2 of their last 10 games and were blanked by the Indians yesterday. They will not get away with that lack of production as they send Nick Blackburn to the mound.
Blackburn is 1-4 with a 7.18 ERA this season but can say he picked up his first win in his last outing, despite allowing 5 runs in 5 innings to the Toronto Blue Jays. His record before that win was 0-8 from his last 13 starts and a 5.88 ERA since he beat the Chicago White Sox in July 2011.
The pitcher has struggled in his recent appearances against the Detroit Tigers. In the last 4 times he has faced them, 3 times as a starter, Blackburn has a 0-3 record and 10.34 ERA.
Head to Head
This is the first meeting between the teams this season, but Detroit have a 6-2 record in the last 8 games in the series between them.
The Tigers have been very good against Minnesota at home, winning 14 of their last 17 meetings.
Detroit are 9-9 at home this season, Minnesota are 4-12 on the road.
Prediction
The Detroit Tigers have been showing some life at the plate recently and I think they can use that confidence in giving Nick Blackburn another tough time and cover the run line.
Rick Porcello will need to pitch better than he did in his last outing, but his two previous starts were promising, while he also has enjoyed facing the Twins in recent starts against them. The pitcher should get the run support to cover any mistakes he makes and that should allow Detroit to win by a couple of runs at the least.
The Pick :
Detroit Tigers 7-4 Minnesota Twins
