Baseball Picks – Tigers vs Twins

In their first meeting since playing in game 163 to decide the final AL playoff spot last season, the winners of that game, the Minnesota Twins travel to Detroit to take on the Tigers at Comerica Park.

The Detroit Tigers are still stinging from the 1-0 loss to the Twins last season that cost them a spot in the playoffs, in hopes of getting a bit of redemption and gain an important game in the AL Central standing they are sending 2009 CY Young candidate Justin Verlander to the mound while the Twins counter with Francisco Lirano.

Game Date/Time: Tuesday, April 27th, 7:05 ET
Game Location: Comerica Park, Detroit MI
TV/Radio Broadcast: FSNO, FSD

The MLB Odds makers have the Detroit Tigers as small -120 favorites and the comeback on the Twins will pay you even money. The game total is set at 8 runs.

Baseball Betting Odds

Minnesota Twins +1½ -190 Ev

Francisco Liriano – L

Detroit Tigers -1½ +160 -120

Justin Verlander – R

Justin Verlander has gotten off to a slow start this season with just a 1-1 record and an overly inflated ERA at 6.95. Verlander tied for the MLB lead in wins last season at 19, the only concern is that he may have over pitched last season.

Verlander threw 240 innings last season or about 40 more than his next highest total. It’s too soon to speculate on that but unless you’re name is Roy Halladay, that’s too many innings considering the way pitchers are babied.

At the plate, Miguel Cabrera has been doing what he is supposed to do; he’s hitting in the clutch, driving in runs and winning ballgames.

Cabrera was the goat of last year’s one game playoff after it was revealed he was out partying the night before the game and his lack of clutch play in 2009 suggests that it may not have been just one night out boozing.

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Already in 2010, Miguel Cabrera has 24 RBI in 20 games and last night he hit a top of ninth go-ahead homerun as the Tigers beat the Texas Rangers 8-6.

If you are looking for a Rookie of the year candidate, you have to look at Tigers CF Austin Jackson. Jackson has been asked to replace Curtis Granderson and so far so good as Jackson is batting .325 and has scored 14 runs putting him on pace for 113 runs.

To go along with the bat and the scoring, his arm is gaining respect around the league as he already has a couple of outfield assists.

The Twins counter with Francisco Liriano, Liriano has been brilliant in his last two outings both wins and both games he didn’t give up a run. This has to be welcome news for the Twins after watching Liriano struggle last season with a 5-13 record.

Joe Mauer has been his MVP self, he’s once again pushing .400 and has knocked in and scored 12 runs. Against Verlander, Mauer has a .373 batting average with three homeruns and nine RBI in his career.

I’m not sold on Liriano maintaining his strong play, it’s rare for a player not to give up a run in three straight outings and it’s even rarer for a pitcher that lost 13 games the season before. Of course, until Verlander shows he’s regained his 19-win form, I’d rather lay off him. Looking at those factors, I’ll take the over 8 runs in this game.

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