Online betting players should be treated to a fantastic matchup in the ALCS as Detroit and Texas battle for the right to represent the league in the World Series. These two are very similar and there isn’t a lot between them, but the Rangers’ experience from last year should give them an edge.
What: MLB Betting
When: October 8th-17th (Check best sportsbook for start times)
Where: Games 1, 2, 6, 7 (The Ballpark, Arlington, TX); Games 3-5 (Comerica Park, Detroit, MI)
Free Pick: Texas Rangers
Why Bet On Detroit Tigers
The Tigers’ “upset” of the New York Yankees wasn’t a major surprise to those who have been watching Detroit all season; they were fourth in the American League in runs scored and third in batting average, led by batting champ Miguel Cabrera (Victor Martinez was fourth). Their hitting makes up for a lack of speed on the basepaths, but they’ve even showed in the postseason that they’re not just a power team. They also have the best pitcher in the majors in Justin Verlander, who struggled in Game 1, but he’ll be back in Game 5 at home as manager Jim Leyland doesn’t like to throw his ace out on short rest. However, it’s not just Verlander as Doug Fister has been an excellent sidekick for the probable Cy Young winner. We also can’t forget about Jose Valverde, who was successful on all 49 of his save opportunities in the regular season and he has two more in the playoffs, although he was shaky in one game against the Yankees. The Tigers are well balanced and hungry, and that is a dangerous combination.
But MLB betting players still have some questions to ask of the Tigers, and it starts with the rotation after Verlander and Fister; can they trust Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello to hold up the bottom of the group? He tossed a great Game 2 against the Yankees, but it is still his first playoff experience and we all know the 22-year-old Porcello can be inconsistent. The Tigers have a 5.37 ERA so far in the postseason, but seem to be getting away with it due to timely hitting. Also, Detroit hit .226 against the Yankees, but they have to pump up their bats a little more to beat the Rangers.
Why Bet On Texas Rangers
After a 9-0 blowout at the hands of Tampa Bay in Game 1 of the ALDS, the Rangers recovered to win the next three, followed by a Game 1 win over the Tigers and they have now won three straight by a single run, which sounds like a team that has been there before. You should believe that Texas’ experience in losing the World Series to San Francisco last year is something that they have fed off all season, and it’ll especially come in handy in the playoffs. We all know the Rangers can hit as they led the American League in average and they were third in runs scored (Texas was second in the league in homers, five spots ahead of Detroit). But they’ve scored just 19 runs in the postseason so far, tied with the Tigers, and they’ve been getting by on their pitching, which has a 3.80 ERA. The starters have been fine, but the key to it all may be rookie Alexi Ogando, who was an All-Star, but had a terrible second half and was sent to the bullpen, where he has looked to regain his focus, and he has four holds and a win so far. He is a perfect bridge to closer Neftali Feliz and that gives manager Ron Washington confidence that he can go to the bullpen after seven innings.
Like Detroit, the Texas bats have to wake up because it’s going to be tough to win when Josh Hamilton is hitting .211, and the trio of Michael Young, Elvis Andrus and Nelson Cruz are batting .111. They have been a bit fortunate to draw the Tigers, who are also having problems at the plate, but it also puts more pressure on their rotation, which is better from top to bottom than the Tigers, but they would like to make it easier on their starters.
How It Will Play Out
The Rangers should be the MLB betting favorites, given that this is their second ALCS in a row, and of course, Texas won Game 1 3-2 on Saturday to get off to a good start. Counting Game 1, the Rangers are 4-6 in 10 meetings with the Tigers in 2011, with five games falling under the posted total (along with a pair of pushes).
The two teams are relatively similar, but this is going to come down to pitching, which it usually does in the postseason, and the Rangers are more complete, especially with their rotation and setup men. Ogando coming back down the stretch and in the playoffs is huge if the Rangers are going to continue to win close games. Make Texas your sports betting pick to return to the World Series.
Tigers Rangers Betting Free Pick: Texas Rangers
