PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* Sunday SMASHER >> +$30,148 Since May 1st! <<
(MLB) Houston vs. Detroit,
Money Line: -129.00 Houston (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -129.00 Houston (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 68-35 Houston Astros are running away in the AL West with a 17-game lead in the division. Houston also owns the AL's best overall record (10 1/2 games better than defending AL champs Cleveland) and MLB's best road record at 38-14. However, it was the 46-56 Tigers who erased a three-run deficit and snapped a four-game skid with Saturday's 5-3 victory at Detroit. The Tigers' win leaves them 3-7 in their last 10 and 10 games under . 500 with the whispers that Detroit may be a "seller" by the July 31 trade deadline growing louder. The teams will play the rubber match of this three-game series on Sunday, as the Astros play the final game of their nine-game road trip (are 5-3, so far).
The pitching matchup: Lance McCullers (7-2 & 3.67 ERA) will get the start for Houston and Justin Verlander (5-7 & 4.50 ERA) for Detroit. McCullers won his first start upon coming off the disabled list with five innings of one-run ball at Seattle back on June 24 but is win-less in four subsequent outings while allowing a combined 20 runs (18 ERs) in just 19 innings (8.53 ERA). He's taken just one loss in that span but Houston is 0-4, with McCullers' ERA rising from 2.53 (thru June 24) to 3.67. He has failed to get through five innings in each of his last three outings. McCullers blanked Detroit on one hit over five innings in a May 23 win and is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in two career starts vs. Detroit. Verlander has been named among one of several big-name pitchers who could change destinations in the next two days but he may wind up staying put due to a contract that will pay him $28 million in each of the next two seasons. Verlander is coming off a pair of seven-inning no-decisions and has permitted a modest eight ERs in his last four outings (2.77 ERA), three of them quality starts. He has never lost to Houston in eight career starts (4-0, 2.83 ERA) but the Tigers are a more modest 5-3 in those outings.
The pick: Verlander may own a 2.77 ERA in his last four starts but the Tigers are 0-4 in those games. In fact, the Tigers have lost his last five starts and he owns just one win in his last 12 (team is 3-9). The veteran has posted double-digit victories in 10 of the last 11 seasons but that mark is in real jeopardy due to his latest drought. The Astros let one slip away on Saturday, don't expect MLB's best road team (plus-$2221 vs. the moneyline) to let that happen again. Make Houston a 10* play.
The pitching matchup: Lance McCullers (7-2 & 3.67 ERA) will get the start for Houston and Justin Verlander (5-7 & 4.50 ERA) for Detroit. McCullers won his first start upon coming off the disabled list with five innings of one-run ball at Seattle back on June 24 but is win-less in four subsequent outings while allowing a combined 20 runs (18 ERs) in just 19 innings (8.53 ERA). He's taken just one loss in that span but Houston is 0-4, with McCullers' ERA rising from 2.53 (thru June 24) to 3.67. He has failed to get through five innings in each of his last three outings. McCullers blanked Detroit on one hit over five innings in a May 23 win and is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in two career starts vs. Detroit. Verlander has been named among one of several big-name pitchers who could change destinations in the next two days but he may wind up staying put due to a contract that will pay him $28 million in each of the next two seasons. Verlander is coming off a pair of seven-inning no-decisions and has permitted a modest eight ERs in his last four outings (2.77 ERA), three of them quality starts. He has never lost to Houston in eight career starts (4-0, 2.83 ERA) but the Tigers are a more modest 5-3 in those outings.
The pick: Verlander may own a 2.77 ERA in his last four starts but the Tigers are 0-4 in those games. In fact, the Tigers have lost his last five starts and he owns just one win in his last 12 (team is 3-9). The veteran has posted double-digit victories in 10 of the last 11 seasons but that mark is in real jeopardy due to his latest drought. The Astros let one slip away on Saturday, don't expect MLB's best road team (plus-$2221 vs. the moneyline) to let that happen again. Make Houston a 10* play.
