PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* MLB Game of the Day >>> 38-18 L56 MLB Sides!
(MLB) Detroit vs. Atlanta,
Money Line: -150.00 Detroit (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -150.00 Detroit (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Tigers and Braves opened a three-games series at Turner Field (Atlanta moves to a new home park next season) with plenty still on the line for the Tigers. Detroit began the final weekend of the regular season 1 1/2 games back of Baltimore and Toronto, which were tied for the two AL wild card spots. Meanwhile, the Braves may still own the NL's worst record, but they opened this series with Tigers the winners of 10 of their previous 11 games. Detroit won last night 6-2 and moved to within a half-game of the AL's second wild card spot, as the Blue Jays lost in Boston (the Orioles won to take over the No. 1 wild card spot).
The pitching matchup: Jordan Zimmermann (9-6, 4.88 ERA) takes the mound for Detroit and Aaron Blair (1-7, 8.02 ERA) does so for Atlanta. Zimmermann (a huge FA signee from Washington) opened the 2016 season 5-0 with an 0.55 ERA in April and after a June 3rd win, was 8-2 with a 2.58 ERA. However, he began to struggle for the rest of June and then neck and lat issues limited him to just one start in the months of July and August. He returned on September 10th and allowed six ERs while getting just three outs! He then pitched three innings of relief on September 25 against Kansas City (allowed one run), the first relief appearance of his career. Atlanta rookie Blair will make the 15th start of his career. It has not gone well, with that 1-7 record, 8.02 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and .308 BAA (Braves are 3-11, minus-$ in his starts).
The pick: Blair owns an 0-4 mark with an 8.18 ERA at Turner Field this season while allowing the opposition to bat .302 against him, as the Braves have gone 1-6. Yes, Zimmermann has suffered through an injury-marred last three months but in the Braves, he faces an old rival. Zimmerman has made 18 career appearances against Atlanta (all as a member of the Nationals), going 7-3 with a 2.55 ERA against the Braves with 82 strikeouts in 99 innings. He is 3-1 with a 2.06 ERA at Turner Field. The Tigers can't control what the Orioles and Blue Jays do, or for the matter the Mariners (who are just a half-game back of Detroit). However, Detroit can (and will) take care of business in this one! Detroit is a 10* play.
The pitching matchup: Jordan Zimmermann (9-6, 4.88 ERA) takes the mound for Detroit and Aaron Blair (1-7, 8.02 ERA) does so for Atlanta. Zimmermann (a huge FA signee from Washington) opened the 2016 season 5-0 with an 0.55 ERA in April and after a June 3rd win, was 8-2 with a 2.58 ERA. However, he began to struggle for the rest of June and then neck and lat issues limited him to just one start in the months of July and August. He returned on September 10th and allowed six ERs while getting just three outs! He then pitched three innings of relief on September 25 against Kansas City (allowed one run), the first relief appearance of his career. Atlanta rookie Blair will make the 15th start of his career. It has not gone well, with that 1-7 record, 8.02 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and .308 BAA (Braves are 3-11, minus-$ in his starts).
The pick: Blair owns an 0-4 mark with an 8.18 ERA at Turner Field this season while allowing the opposition to bat .302 against him, as the Braves have gone 1-6. Yes, Zimmermann has suffered through an injury-marred last three months but in the Braves, he faces an old rival. Zimmerman has made 18 career appearances against Atlanta (all as a member of the Nationals), going 7-3 with a 2.55 ERA against the Braves with 82 strikeouts in 99 innings. He is 3-1 with a 2.06 ERA at Turner Field. The Tigers can't control what the Orioles and Blue Jays do, or for the matter the Mariners (who are just a half-game back of Detroit). However, Detroit can (and will) take care of business in this one! Detroit is a 10* play.
