In MLB, the sports betting experts know that this is the time of the year when the star pitchers are put back into regular rotation, and teams begin to gear up for a playoff run. The Texas Rangers are in first place in the AL West and the Detroit Tigers are only one and a half games out of first place in the AL Central. Fans of both teams have spent more time NFL betting than they have spent betting on a pennant. But now that the final push is on, and both teams are in place to make a run, things are getting exciting in both towns.
NCAA football betting is extremely popular in Texas, and the Rangers are becoming popular as well. The Rangers are .500 in their last 10 games, but a couple of those wins are over the Boston Red Sox. The Rangers come into this series with a stellar 31-19 road record, but a suspect 22-20 road record. If you want to win a World Series, you have to win on the road. The Rangers were able to win in Boston, and now they want to continue that momentum into Detroit.
It has been a long time since MLB betting late in a season has included the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers won the World Series in 1984, made the playoffs in 1987 and again in 2006, but for all of those years in between there has been nothing to cheer about in the Motor City. Now, in 2010, the Tigers are in a fierce battle with the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins for the AL Central pennant. Right now, the White Sox lead by one and a half games. With the way things have gone in the AL Central all season, that situation could change by the end of the week.
Tommy Hunter starts this game for the Rangers, and he is having an excellent season. His record is 6-0 and his ERA is 2.39. He was just placed into the starting rotation recently, and he won his first six decisions. However, on the road in his career Hunter is 4-4 with a 5.90 ERA. Just like the rest of the Ranger team, Hunter has a hard time playing his best when he is away from his home field.
To the mound for the Tigers in this game is Armando Galarraga, who is still recovering from an early season injury. This will be Galarraga’s first start in the majors since a short stint in the minors on rehab. For the season, Galarraga is 3-2 with a 4.45 ERA. At home, Galarraga is 2-0. He is only 28 years old, and the Tigers are trying to be very careful with his rehabilitation in order to not shorten his MLB career.
With the Tigers being strong at home (32-13) and the Rangers being weak on the road (22-20), this game comes down to momentum. The Tigers have lost their last five games in a row, and that dropped them out of first place in the AL Central. They will be looking to regain their division lead with this home stand.
Baseball betting pick: Detroit Tigers 4-2
