Detroit Tigers vs Atlanta Braves – Baseball Betting Odds

It’ll be an old fashioned pitching duel in Sunday’s baseball betting odds. That’s when Tommy Hanson and the Atlanta Braves, host hard throwing Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers.

Detroit Tigers (39-32 SU, 39-32 R/L, 33-31-7 O/U) at Atlanta Braves (42-31 SU, 38-35 R/L, 37-32-4 O/U)

Sunday, June 27: 1:35 p.m.

Detroit:
(Justin Verlander-R)

Atlanta:
(Tommy Hanson-R)

While Verlander is having a spectacular 2010 campaign, he enters this game off one of his worst starts in recent memory. That’d be last weekend in New York, where the righty gave up five earned runs on five hits, before being chased out of the game after throwing just two innings. Beforehand though, Verlander had been excellent, winning his previous three starts, while striking out 18 in the process.

Opposing Verlander on the bump will be Tommy Hanson, who has come back down to earth after a storybook 2009 rookie campaign. It’s safe to say that Hanson hasn’t been bad in 2010, just that after taking the baseball betting world by storm (11-4, 2.89 ERA), Hanson is in the midst of a bit of a sophomore slump. On the season he is 7-4, but has seen his ERA rise to 4.17. He gave up an unconscionable nine earned runs in just 3.2 innings in his last outing.

As for these offenses, it is Atlanta’s which comes in with the clout. They are led by the National League’s top hitter, Martin Prado who enters the weekend with a .331 average. In the power department, the Atlanta Braves rely on the big bats of Troy Glaus and Jason Heyward. Heyward enters this series in a bit of a slump, getting three hits in just his last 22 at bats. There’s a strong possibility that the soon-to-be 21-year-old is hitting the rookie wall.

Detroit on the other hand relies on one big bat do most of their damage, that of Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera has been absolutely unreal this year, and along with Robinson Cano of the Yankees should be considered for American League MVP. He’s hitting .328 with 19 home runs and 61 RBI, all of which lead this team. Magglio Ordonez has been impressive as well, with a similar .328 batting average, to go along with 10 home runs.

So with two tough lineups, will either pitcher be able to bounce back?

If one was, the smart money would be on Verlander. As we mentioned, although Verlander hit a bump in the road recently, it seems like for all intents and purposes it was the exception, not the rule, to his season. Expect him to come out and pitch deep into this ball game, as he’s gone into the seventh inning or beyond in three of his last four starts.

Behind him, expect Cabrera, Ordonez and rookie Austin Jackson to lead the way, as the Detroit Tigers are looking to make up ground in the AL Central.

The Tigers aren’t a lock on Sunday afternoon, but are looking good with their ace on the mound. Make Detroit your baseball bet.

Aaron’s Pick: Detroit Money Line