Saturday, April 12, 8:10 PM on SNLA, FSAZ

Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona

Detroit - Verlander, J (0-1) vs. San Diego - Kennedy, I (1-1)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

On Saturday Justin Verlander (0-1) makes his third start of the season looking for his first victory and trying to regain his strikeout form. Ian Kennedy (1-1) takes the bump for the Padres aiming to build on a strong outing last time out. Verlander has struck out just 5 batters in his first two games of 2014. Despite an 0-1 record though Verlander has given up just 4 ER while sporting a 2.57 ERA.

Verlander made no interleague starts against San Diego in 2013 and in fact only 5 Padres players have ever faced the right-hander. Carlos Quentin has faced Verlander 34 times mostly when with the White Sox but he's missed the entire season so far with a knee injury.

Kennedy allowed 3 ER in his season opening start with the Dodgers as the Padres fell 2-3. Yasiel Puig did most of the damage with a 2 run HR after Carl Crawford led off the game with a single. Things got much better in outing number 2 as the 29-year-old right hander gave up just 3 hits and 1 ER in a 4-2 win over Miami. Kennedy brings in a 3.27 ERA to Saturday's game against Detroit.

Kennedy split his 2013 with Arizona and San Diego but did not meet up with the Tigers with either team. He has faced 7 batters on the Tiger roster allowing 10 hits in 25 AB's (.400). Torii Hunter has gone 2 for 2, Ian Kinsler 3 for 4, Miguel Cabrera is 2 for 4 with a triple, and Alex Gonzalez has a HR among his 3 AB's.

Detroit Betting Trends

Detroit is 3-3-1 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Detroit is +1.0

San Diego Betting Trends

San Diego is 2-7-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for San Diego is -1.7

Injuries to Watch

Detroit

04/11/14 RF Torii Hunter Knee probable
03/28/14 LF Andy Dirks Back 15-day DL (3/29)
03/28/14 P Bruce Rondon Elbow 60-day DL (3/29), out for season
03/27/14 SS Jose Iglesias Stress Fracture 60-day DL (3/29)
03/27/14 P Octavio Dotel Elbow 60-day DL (4/20)

San Diego

03/30/14 LF Carlos Quentin Knee 15-day DL (3/25)
03/28/14 CF Cameron Maybin Bicep 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Casey Kelly Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Cory Luebke Elbow 60-day DL (3/7)
03/28/14 P Joe Wieland Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Josh Johnson Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)

Tony's Pick: Take Detroit

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