It’s going to be an explosive Wednesday night in the MLB, as the Los Angeles Angels (64-61) and the Detroit Tigers (59-66) lock horns for the second encounter of their three-game set at Comerica Park. The Angels managed to take care of business in yesterday’s series opener with a thrilling 8-7 triumph. Will they be able to build on this momentum? Or will the Tigers avenge their loss?
Read on below for a complete breakdown of this American League clash. And while you’re at it, go check out our other preview between the St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks. Enjoy.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Los Angeles Angels vs. Detroit Tigers Preview
Where: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
When: Wednesday, August 26, 7:08 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Angels (+128) vs. Detroit Tigers (-138); total: 8.0 —View all MLB Lines
Betting on the Los Angeles Angels
There hasn’t been any reason to smile about whenever Hector Santiago (7-7, 2.91 ERA) takes the mound for the Los Angeles Angels. He still hasn’t captured a victory since July 20 versus Boston. Across four starts this month of August, he is 0-2 with a 4.09 ERA while the Angels have gone 1-4 during that stretch. Santiago will have another chance to put an end to this slump as he faces the Detroit Tigers later tonight.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Short and terrible. These words sum up how Santiago fared in his most recent outing. The 27-year-old lefty coughed up four runs (three earned), three hits and four walks in over just 3 2/3 innings to pick up 9-2 loss versus the Blue Jays Friday night. But the Angels should be very happy with the fact that he’s been significantly better when facing the Tigers. Santiago is 1-3 with an excellent ERA of 1.71 and a .192 opponents’ batting average through 13 games (six starts) against Detroit.
No matter how good Santiago’s been opposite the Tigers, he’ll still be expecting some run support from his teammates. Leading the charge on offense for the Angels are none other than Albert Pujols and David Murphy, who own lifetime batting averages of .500 (6-for-12) and .300 (9-for-30) off Detroit’s starter Justin Verlander.
Also, it’ll be interesting to see how Mike Trout, the Angel’s best hitter (.297), will fare at the plate later. The All-Star MVP has been very comfortable on the road this year, batting .318 with 16 homers and 41 RBIs added to his name.
Los Angeles is 1-5 in its previous six games with Santiago starting.
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Betting on the Detroit Tigers
The losing woes continue for the Detroit Tigers as they are in the midst of a five-game slide and have lost six of their last 10. They are now six games behind Texas for the final wild card spot in the American League. A postseason appearance will become less of a reality if this struggle doesn’t stop soon. Fortunately though, the Tigers’ chances for success tonight are really high with their ace pitcher Justin Verlander (1-6, 3.86 ERA) going on the mound.
Verlander has been godlike over his previous six contests, holding a spectacular 1.76 ERA along with 38 strikeouts in over 43 innings of work. Detroit only went 2-4 during that stretch, however. The 32-year-old veteran will look to deliver yet another strong performance while eyeing his first win at Comerica Park this year. Across seven home starts, Verlander is 0-5 with a 5.45 ERA and a .273 opponents’ batting average.
Backing him up on offense, expect Ian Kinsler, who took a day-off last night, to keep lighting it up at the plate. Kinsler leads the majors with 49 multi-hit games this year and is currently riding a seven-game hitting streak, where he is 15-for-31 (.484) along with two home runs, three doubles and six RBIs. But he is only 3-for-13 lifetime opposite Santiago.
Detroit is has lost eight of its last 10 contests with Verlander starting.
Writer’s Prediction:
Justin Verlander pitches a gem to lead Detroit (-138) to a resounding 6-2 win.
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