A pair of low-flyers open a series today. The Tigers, on the road, have won just 1 of 6 games; the Angels are better at 6-4. Neither team has hit well at all lately. The Tigers are very poor as a road underdog, but the Angels, in the rare circumstances that it occurs, are good as a home favorite.
Tigers' lefty Alexander returned to a starting role in August with some success early in the month, but has struggled in his last two games, lasting just 7+ innings and allowing 9 runs. His ERA for the month is 5.58, and his numbers are much worse on the road.
Jose Suarez, another lefty, starts for the Angels. Suarez has had mixed success this season, but has pitched effectively in August, going 3-2, with an ERA of 2.51. He generally pitches into the 6th inning. The Angels have been getting solid pitching lately, including their bullpen, whose ERA is a sharp 2.12 in the last two weeks. The Tigers' relievers have a collective ERA of more than double that in the same time period.
I favor Suarez and the Angels today. They showed especially well vs. the Jays and Yankees, and they seem to finally be on the upswing. Alexander's numbers appear to be going in the wrong direction, and his last starts have been short. Take the Angels to win outright.