The Miller Group
Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox Aug 13 2009 1:35PM
PICK: Boston Red Sox
Your pick will be graded at: -106
TITLE: 7* MLB EARLY AFTERNOON HAMMER *52-36 RUN*
REASON FOR PICK: Let's get this straight. The Tigers are 23-36 on the road and have lost the first three games of this series, while the Red Sox check in at 38-17 at Fenway Park and are still highly motivated after that weekend sweep at the hands of the Yankees, yet the Tigers are the ones favored this afternoon?
It just doesn't add up.
Perhaps even more interesting is the fact that the public isn't jumping all over the Red Sox. Boston has already gone 6-0 against the Tigers this season and that's not a trend we see turning around on Thursday.
Yes, the Tigers have their ace going in Justin Verlander, but he has looked like anything but lately, allowing five earned runs in back-to-back starts. The Red Sox have tagged him for five earned runs in two of their previous three looks over the last three seasons. Also note that the Tigers are just 6-7 in his 13 road starts this season.
Red Sox starter Clay Bucholz hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire, but is coming off a fine outing against the Yankees, in which he allowed just six hits and two runs over six innings. This is a guy whose numbers have become skewed, as he's pitched only once at Fenway Park this season. You'll remember that he pitched a no-hitter here back in his second MLB start in 2007. He allowed one earned run or less in each of his first three starts at Fenway Park last season.
The Tigers are still holding on to the A.L. Central division lead, but only by two games. We don't believe that this is a team that performs well under pressure, and on this day, we look for the Red Sox to complete the 4-game sweep.
Take Boston (7*).