Saturday, August 15, 2015

Minute Maid Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Justin Verlander (1-5) vs. Collin McHugh (13-6)

The Detroit Tigers visit Minute Maid Park on Saturday to play the Houston Astros. The Tigers send Justin Verlander to the mound to face Collin McHugh of the Astros. The opening line for this matchup has Detroit at +136 and Houston at -146. The over/under was set at 8.5. The Tigers, with a 53-61 run line record, cover the spread 47% of the time. They also have a 62-47 over/under record. The Astros have a 52-58 over/under record and a 63-52 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 55% of the time.

The Tigers come into this game with a 55-59 record, and they are 27-29 away from home. Justin Verlander has a 1-5 record on the season, an earned run average of 4.57 and a 1.25 WHIP. He's pitched 63 innings thus far while surrendering 64 hits over that time and when he starts, the Tigers are 1-9. Against the over/under, the Tigers are 7-3 in his starts. The team is averaging 3 runs when he starts. The bullpen has given up 354 hits on the season and have an earned run average of 4.24. Opposing teams are hitting .269 against the Tigers bullpen while walking 130 times and striking out 278 times. Detroit is averaging 6.98 strikeouts per game while getting 9.4 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 26th in baseball in team earned run average at 4.48.

Detroit is batting .273 as a team, which is good for 1st in the league and hitting .261 away from home. The Tigers on-base percentage sits at .330, which puts them at 3rd in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .427. Ian Kinsler leads the team in hits with 136 while the team ranks 1st in baseball with 9.46 hits per game.

With a 62-53 overall record, Houston will come into this game 38-18 at home. Collin McHugh has a record of 13-6 while sporting an earned run average of 4.22 on the year with a 1.32 WHIP. He's pitched 145 innings thus far while surrendering 154 hits over that time in which the Astros are 15-8. Against the over/under, the Astros are 11-11 when he starts. The team is averaging 4.9 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen has given up 242 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 2.73. Opposing teams are hitting .200 against the Astros bullpen while walking 97 times and striking out 320 times. Houston is averaging 7.59 strikeouts per game while getting 8.08 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 5th in the league in team earned run average at 3.49.

They are batting .242 as a team, which is good for 26th in the league and hitting .249 at home. The Astros on-base percentage sits at .309, which puts them at 19th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .422. Jose Altuve leads the team in hits with 130 while the team ranks 29th in baseball with 8.08 hits a game.

In terms of team defense, the Tigers have a fielding percentage of .987 with 56 total errors, 1,124 assists and 3,068 put outs. The Astros have committed 59 errors on the season with 1212 assists and 3,067 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .986 on the year.

Detroit Tigers Betting Trends

The Detroit Tigers are 62-47 against the over/under so far this season

The Detroit Tigers are 53-61 against the run line so far this season

Houston Astros Betting Trends

The Houston Astros are 52-58 against the over/under so far this season

The Houston Astros are 63-52 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Detroit Tigers

08/13/15 1B Miguel Cabrera Calf "?" Friday vs. Houston Astros
05/24/15 P Kyle Lobstein Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/23)
05/08/15 P Joe Nathan Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/7), out for season

Houston Astros

08/13/15 CF Carlos Gomez Knee probable Friday vs. Detroit Tigers
07/02/15 RF George Springer Wrist Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/1)
05/19/15 P Samuel Deduno Back Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/14), out for season
04/17/15 P Brad Peacock Hip Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/14); out for season

Tony's Pick: Take the Tigers

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