Cleveland has not won a series since the All-Star break, but it will have an opportunity to do so tonight when it faces AL Central rival Detroit in a rubber match at Progressive Field. This evening’s series finale between the Indians and Tigers is scheduled to get underway at 7:05pm ET. The latest MLB Odds have the Tigers, who will send reigning Cy Young winner Justin Verlander to the hill, listed as a -180 road favorite ($180 to win $100). Tonight’s game total is set at seven runs; the Over is favored at -120 odds.
Detroit, a prohibitive favorite to win its division, was one of the more disappointing first half teams as it struggled to keep pace in a watered down AL Central. The Tigers have been nearly flawless since the break, though, posting a 9-3 record since the Mid-Summer Classic.
Detroit, now 53-45 overall and tied with the White Sox for the AL Central lead, will look to win its fifth consecutive series with Justin Verlander toeing the rubber. Verlander, as expected, has been brilliant this season, producing an 11-5 record, 2.42 ERA, and 0.92 WHIP in 20 starts. He has also struck out 142 batters in 148.2 innings pitched and limited his opposition to a .193 batting average.
Verlander does not own dominant numbers against the Indians, though. The seven year veteran is 13-12 with a 4.70 ERA in 28 career starts opposite Cleveland and he is 6-9 with a 5.79 ERA in 16 appearances at Progressive Field.
The Indians, who are 49-49 and four games back of the AL Central leaders after last night’s 5-3 loss, will counter Verlander with Zach McAllister. The 24 year old right hander has been solid in nine appearances this season, putting together a 4-2 record to go along with a respectable 3.21 ERA. McAllister, who has struck out 52 in 56 innings of work, has earned a quality start in five of his nine outings while allowing more than three earned runs just one time. He is 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA in six starts at Progressive Field; the Indians are 4-2 in those games.
MLB Odd Betting Trend: The Indians are 7-3 in their last 10 games as a home underdog against Detroit; the Under is 8-2 in those games.
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MLB Odds 2012 Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Indians: Provided by TopBet.eu
Detroit Tigers -1.5 (-120), Over 7 (-120), -180 (Moneyline)
Cleveland Indians +1.5 (+100), Under 7 (+100), +160 (Moneyline)
