Detroit Tigers vs. Texas Rangers Betting Odds & Picks: July 29th 2009

Detroit Tigers vs. Texas Rangers u8.5 (-110 betting odds)
Wed Jul 29 ‘09 8:05p
Visit Touthouse.com for more mlb baseball picks from Bob Harvey

The Detroit Tigers are on the verge of getting swept by the Rangers. Tonight they’ll look to Justin Verlander to prevent that from happening.

The Tigers have struggled offensively scoring just six runs in their last three games, all losses. That’s why the motowners will need another stellar effort from their ace Verlander is 11-5 on the year with a 3.12 ERA and a victory tonight would tie him with Boston’s Josh Beckett for the league lead in wins. If his last three starts are any indication, then he’s a good bet to get his 12th victory tonight. Verlander is 2-1 with a 0.78 ERA over that stretch including his third complete game of the season. The Tigers have won both of Verlander’s starts against the Rangers this season. He is 1-0 in those outings with a 1.64 ERA over 11 innings pitched, improving to 4-0 with a 1.16 ERA in his last five starts versus Texas.

In order to pitch the Tigers to victory in the series finale he’ll need to cool off a red hot Rangers team that has won four straight and has scored a total of 19 runs in their last three games. Hoping to match Verlander pitch for pitch will be Scott Feldman. He doesn’t get the headlines like a Verlander or Beckett but he’s one of the solid starters in the American Leauge. Feldman is 9-3, ERA is just 3.59 and he’s got an era of 2.48 over his last five starts. Feldman has no career decisions against the Tigers and has only faced them once as a starter. He’s also made five relief appearances giving up 10 runs in 14 innings.

The perception some people still have of Rangers is “Good Hit, No Pitching”. Well all that has changed since Nolan Ryan took over as President of the team. Texas has the 10th best team ERA in baseball at 4.16 with an even better bullpen that ranks seventh in the majors with a 3.77 ERA. This Rangers team is now built on pitching and defense and any offense is a plus. Texas is still in the mix of things in the AL West despite down years from Michael Young, Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton. Nelson Cruz is the one offensive exception with 24 homeruns on the season.

The Tigers have gotten by on the strength of their pitching staff which is ranked 8th in the majors despite an atrocious bullpen that ranks 22nd overall. Like Texas, Detroit isn’t going to beat you into submission. They’re going to rely on their starting pitching….just like today when Verlander takes the hill.
The Rangers are going for their first three-game home sweep of Detroit in seven years. But it will take another strong offensive effort to get it done against Verlander. Runs should be scarce in this one. Take the under with a lean towards the Tigers.