MLB Pick: Detroit Tigers at Arizona Diamondbacks

Overview

The Detroit Tigers continue their three game interleague series in Arizona tonight with the Diamondbacks. Justin Verlander picked up the win as the Tigers downed the Royals 4-3 in game one. Being in different leagues these two teams don’t hook up very often, they have only played 7 games since 2010 with the Tigers winning 5 of those games.

Head to Head Trends

Tigers are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Arizona.

Detroit Tigers (-128)

The Detroit Tigers are 1st in the American League Central 6.5 games up on the 2nd place Cleveland Indians. The Tigers have been in 1st pretty much the whole season as they got off to that super hot start winning 27 of their first 39 games. Things got a little close in the Central when the Tigers went into a slump losing 16 of 22 games but they have since bounced back and have won 19 of their last 28 games. The Tigers for some reason play better on the road then they do at home. They actually have the best road record in baseball with 29 wins and just 16 losses. Away from home they average 4.93 runs per game on offense while allowing just 3.78 runs per game on defense. Starting for the Tigers is Rick Porcello who is 12-5 with a 3.39 ERA in his 18 starts this season.

Detroit Tigers Trends

Tigers are 19-9 in their last 28 overall.
Tigers are 8-1 in Porcellos last 9 road starts.
Tigers are 12-3 in their last 15 road games.

Arizona Diamond Back (+118)

The Arizona Diamondbacks are 4th in the National League West 12.5 games back of the San Francisco Giants. The Diamondbacks seem to be playing much better ball of late winning 3 of 4 and 7 of their last 11 games although to be fair 5 of those wins came against the Marlins and Cubs so it’s not like they were beating top teams. The Diamondbacks have one of the worst home records in baseball with just 20 wins versus 32 losses. At home the D’Backs average 4.12 runs per game on offense and allow 4.79 runs per game on defense so it looks like pitching has been their main problem this season. Starting for the D’Backs is Chase Anderson who is 6-4 with a 3.64 ERA on the season.

Arizona Diamondbacks Trends

Diamondbacks are 1-4 in Andersons last 5 starts.
Diamondbacks are 6-17 in their last 23 games as a home underdog.

Conclusion

I like the Tigers to pick up the win today versus the Diamondbacks. The Tigers are one of the top teams in baseball and they also have the best road record in baseball while the Diamondbacks are one of the worst teams in baseball and have the worst road record in the National League so it’s kind of hard not to go with the Tigers in this one today.

Free Pick: Detroit Tigers -128