Thursday, June 5, 2014, 12:08 PM on RSN, FSDT

Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan

Toronto Blue Jays - Happ, J (4-2) vs. Detroit Tigers - Verlander, J (6-4)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday afternoon, J.A. Happ will take the mound for the Toronto Blue Jays as they square off against Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers.  Happ will be making his 7th start and 10th appearance as Verlander makes his 13th start. 

J.A. Happ took the loss in his last start and that dropped his record to 4- 2 with a 4.10 ERA.  In that outing, Happ gave up 6 runs on 9 hits (including 2 homers) in 7.2 innings of work.  He walked 2 and struck out 6.  Prior to the loss, Happ had won his last three starts.  In 2013, Happ was 5 -7 with a 4.56 ERA in 18 starts. 

Last season, Happ didn’t face the Tigers and has only opposed 6 of Detroit’s hitters in the past.  But he has dominated those 6 by holding them to a .067 batting average with one hit in 15 at-bats.

Justin Verlander improved his record to 6 – 4 and lowered his ERA slightly to 3.99 after getting a win his last time out.  In that start, Verlander surrendered 3 runs on 5 hits (including a home run) in 7.2 innings.  He walked 1 and struck out 7.   Verlander should be able to improve on last season’s results when he went 13- 12 with a 3.46 ERA in 34 starts.

In 2013, Verlander won his only start against the Blue Jays after pitching 7 shutout innings and allowing just 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5.  But Verlander could face trouble with Adam Lind.  Lind is batting just .235 against Verlander but he has 2 homers and 7 RBIs.  

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Trends

Toronto Blue Jays are 32-25-1 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Toronto Blue Jays is 0.7

Detroit Tigers Betting Trends

Detroit Tigers are 26-24-3 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Detroit Tigers is 0.3

Injuries to Watch

Toronto Blue Jays

05/15/14 CF Colby Rasmus Hamstring 15-day DL (5/13)
05/12/14 P Sergio Santos Forearm 15-day DL (5/11)
05/04/14 P Brandon Morrow Hand 60-day DL (5/3)
04/14/14 2B Maicer Izturis Knee 60-day DL (4/14)

Detroit Tigers

05/02/14 P Joel Hanrahan Elbow 15-day DL (5/2)
04/21/14 P Luke Putkonen Elbow 15-day DL (4/19)
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)

Guy's Pick: Take Detroit

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