Thursday, August 14, 2014, 1:08 PM on FSDT

Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan

Pittsburgh Pirates - Liriano, F (3-8) vs. Detroit Tigers - Scherzer, M (13-4)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates will take the field behind Francisco Liriano (3 – 8, 3.82 ERA) as they take on the Detroit Tigers and Max Scherzer (13 – 4, 3.13 ERA).  It will be the 21st start for Liriano and the 25th for Scherzer.

Francisco Liriano took what could be described as a hard luck loss in his last outing.  He allowed just 2 runs on 3 hits in 7 innings as he walked a batter and struck out 4. But runs were hard to come by for his offense and he took the loss.  Liriano hadn’t lost a game in nearly a month as he stifled hitters in his last 4 starts.  Last season, Liriano was 16 – 8 with an ERA of 3.02 in 26 starts.

In 2013, Liriano lost his only start against the Tigers after allowing 4 runs and 8 hits in 5 innings.  Detroit is batting .347 against the lefty with 41 hits, 5 homers and 22 RBIs in 118 at-bats.

Max Scherzer missed getting the decision in his last start despite another brilliant outing from the right-hander.  Scherzer surrendered just a run on 4 hits in 8 innings of work.  He didn’t issue any free passes as he fanned 11. Scherzer has been masterful this year and is 5 - 2 in his last 10 starts.  Last season, Scherzer won the Cy Young after going 21 - 3 with a 2.90 ERA in 32 starts.

Scherzer didn’t face the Pirates in 2013, but he knows the lineup very well.  Scherzer has held Pittsburgh to a .157 batting average with 14 hits, 4 homers and 8 RBIs in 89 at-bats. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Pirates are 55-56-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Pittsburgh Pirates is 0.1

Detroit Tigers Betting Trends

Detroit Tigers are 59-52-5 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Detroit Tigers is 0.3

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh Pirates

08/11/14 2B Neil Walker Back questionable
08/04/14 CF Andrew McCutchen Ribs 15-day DL (8/4)
07/08/14 P Gerrit Cole Side 15-day DL (7/5)
07/06/14 SS Clint Barmes Groin 15-day DL (6/30)

Detroit Tigers

08/12/14 P Justin Verlander Shoulder questionable
08/10/14 P Anibal Sanchez Pectoral 15-day DL (8/9)
08/10/14 P Joakim Soria Oblique 15-day DL (8/10)
06/25/14 P Luke Putkonen Elbow 60-day DL (4/19)
05/02/14 P Joel Hanrahan Elbow 60-day DL (5/2)
03/28/14 LF Andy Dirks Back 60-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); out for season

Josh's Pick: Take Detroit

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