MLB Notes: Game #163 in the American league
Porcello vs. Baker as Twins in one-game playoff again
Not a lot of folks really like the Metrodome, with its difficult roof and trash-bag fence. But the Minnesota Twins seem to love it, because they won't let it close.
Baseball lives in the Metrodome for at least one more game, and they don't get any bigger than this: a playoff against the Detroit Tigers, with the winner going to the postseason and the loser going home.
The Twins are the first team in baseball history to play a one-game playoff in consecutive years. They dropped a 1-0 road game to the Chicago White Sox last year but have the home-field advantage this year, going 11-7 vs. the Tigers in the regular season.
Minnesota was 48-33 at home this season, matching the ninth-best record in the majors this season. Detroit was 35-46 on the road, including 2-7 at the Metrodome.
Both teams have solid young righthanders pitching in the biggest game of their careers.
The Tigers have rookie Rick Porcello, who is 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA in his last seven starts. In four starts vs. the Twins, he is 1-2 with a 3.09 ERA. He has faced them twice in his last three starts, taking a loss and a no-decision as Detroit dropped both games.
The Twins have five-year veteran Scott Baker, who is 6-2 with a 3.32 ERA in his last 10 starts. In four starts vs. the Tigers, he is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA. The win came Thursday with five scoreless innings at Detroit.
Both teams should be able to go deep into their bullpens if the starters falter. The game is not until Tuesday as the Metrodome is unavailable on Monday because of the Packers-Vikings game.
Although there is no line or total yet, the Twins have been favored in 10 of their last 12 home games. They were -111 with Baker vs. Justin Verlander on May 14 and -180 vs. with Baker vs. Nate Robertson on Sept. 20.
Porcello vs. Baker as Twins in one-game playoff again
Not a lot of folks really like the Metrodome, with its difficult roof and trash-bag fence. But the Minnesota Twins seem to love it, because they won't let it close.
Baseball lives in the Metrodome for at least one more game, and they don't get any bigger than this: a playoff against the Detroit Tigers, with the winner going to the postseason and the loser going home.
The Twins are the first team in baseball history to play a one-game playoff in consecutive years. They dropped a 1-0 road game to the Chicago White Sox last year but have the home-field advantage this year, going 11-7 vs. the Tigers in the regular season.
Minnesota was 48-33 at home this season, matching the ninth-best record in the majors this season. Detroit was 35-46 on the road, including 2-7 at the Metrodome.
Both teams have solid young righthanders pitching in the biggest game of their careers.
The Tigers have rookie Rick Porcello, who is 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA in his last seven starts. In four starts vs. the Twins, he is 1-2 with a 3.09 ERA. He has faced them twice in his last three starts, taking a loss and a no-decision as Detroit dropped both games.
The Twins have five-year veteran Scott Baker, who is 6-2 with a 3.32 ERA in his last 10 starts. In four starts vs. the Tigers, he is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA. The win came Thursday with five scoreless innings at Detroit.
Both teams should be able to go deep into their bullpens if the starters falter. The game is not until Tuesday as the Metrodome is unavailable on Monday because of the Packers-Vikings game.
Although there is no line or total yet, the Twins have been favored in 10 of their last 12 home games. They were -111 with Baker vs. Justin Verlander on May 14 and -180 vs. with Baker vs. Nate Robertson on Sept. 20.
What bettors need to know: Tigers-Twins tiebreaker
Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins (-165, 8)
For the second year in a row, 162 games aren't enough to decide the AL Central division title. The Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins will square off in Minneapolis on Tuesday for a trip to the postseason and an opening round playoff matchup against the New York Yankees.
Resilient Twins force a tie
On September 6th, the Twins were seven games out of first place with only 26 games to play. A week later, the club lost 2006 AL MVP Justin Morneau for the rest of the year due to an injury. Somehow, Minnesota overcame the loss of Morneau to win 16 of its last 20 games to force the tie.
While the Twins surged, the Tigers slumped. Detroit struggled to an 11-15 finish and was unable to wrap up the title. Even a three-game lead with four to play wasn't enough for Detroit.
The Twins comeback has brought back memories of the 2006 campaign. Three years ago, the Tigers held a 10-game lead over Minnesota in early August. Detroit went 19-31 in its last 50 games, while the Twins went 30-20 over the same stretch to steal the division. The Tigers still landed a wild-card spot and ultimately went on to win the AL Pennant.
Young hurlers set to square off
Because Detroit had to use ace right-hander Justin Verlander on Sunday, the Tigers will have to pin their hopes on a 20-year-old rookie to keep their season alive. Right-hander Rick Porcello has registered 14 victories for the Tigers in 2009. He has pitched his best baseball down the stretch, going 5-2 with a 3.19 ERA since August. While he has posted two strong efforts at home against the Twins this season, Porcello has a 6.30 ERA in two starts at the Metrodome.
The Twins will turn to righty Scott Baker on Tuesday. He delivered a clutch effort on Thursday at Detroit to keep the Twins alive in Minnesota's 8-3 win. Baker didn't allow an earned run in five innings after struggling against the Tigers earlier in the year. He’s posted a 13-3 record since June and leads the club in wins with 15.
Metrodome still open for Twins
While the fans and players of the Twins are eagerly looking forward to playing outdoors at the new Target Field in 2010, they aren't quite ready to close the garbage bag on the Metrodome. The atmosphere in the dome played a critical role in world championships for the Twins in 1987 and 1991. Because of their 11-7 regular season series edge over the Tigers, the Twins will get at least one more opportunity to take the field at the Metrodome.
This year, Minnesota is 48-33 at home with a 9-1 mark to close the regular season in Minneapolis. In contrast, the Tigers are just 35-46 on the road with only two wins in nine efforts at the dome this season.
Even with Morneau on the shelf, the Twins appear to have a slight edge offensively over Detroit. Minnesota finished fourth in the league in runs scored while Detroit finished 11th. The Tigers fared better on the mound with the AL's fifth best team ERA compared to Minnesota's 11th ranking
Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins (-165, 8)
For the second year in a row, 162 games aren't enough to decide the AL Central division title. The Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins will square off in Minneapolis on Tuesday for a trip to the postseason and an opening round playoff matchup against the New York Yankees.
Resilient Twins force a tie
On September 6th, the Twins were seven games out of first place with only 26 games to play. A week later, the club lost 2006 AL MVP Justin Morneau for the rest of the year due to an injury. Somehow, Minnesota overcame the loss of Morneau to win 16 of its last 20 games to force the tie.
While the Twins surged, the Tigers slumped. Detroit struggled to an 11-15 finish and was unable to wrap up the title. Even a three-game lead with four to play wasn't enough for Detroit.
The Twins comeback has brought back memories of the 2006 campaign. Three years ago, the Tigers held a 10-game lead over Minnesota in early August. Detroit went 19-31 in its last 50 games, while the Twins went 30-20 over the same stretch to steal the division. The Tigers still landed a wild-card spot and ultimately went on to win the AL Pennant.
Young hurlers set to square off
Because Detroit had to use ace right-hander Justin Verlander on Sunday, the Tigers will have to pin their hopes on a 20-year-old rookie to keep their season alive. Right-hander Rick Porcello has registered 14 victories for the Tigers in 2009. He has pitched his best baseball down the stretch, going 5-2 with a 3.19 ERA since August. While he has posted two strong efforts at home against the Twins this season, Porcello has a 6.30 ERA in two starts at the Metrodome.
The Twins will turn to righty Scott Baker on Tuesday. He delivered a clutch effort on Thursday at Detroit to keep the Twins alive in Minnesota's 8-3 win. Baker didn't allow an earned run in five innings after struggling against the Tigers earlier in the year. He’s posted a 13-3 record since June and leads the club in wins with 15.
Metrodome still open for Twins
While the fans and players of the Twins are eagerly looking forward to playing outdoors at the new Target Field in 2010, they aren't quite ready to close the garbage bag on the Metrodome. The atmosphere in the dome played a critical role in world championships for the Twins in 1987 and 1991. Because of their 11-7 regular season series edge over the Tigers, the Twins will get at least one more opportunity to take the field at the Metrodome.
This year, Minnesota is 48-33 at home with a 9-1 mark to close the regular season in Minneapolis. In contrast, the Tigers are just 35-46 on the road with only two wins in nine efforts at the dome this season.
Even with Morneau on the shelf, the Twins appear to have a slight edge offensively over Detroit. Minnesota finished fourth in the league in runs scored while Detroit finished 11th. The Tigers fared better on the mound with the AL's fifth best team ERA compared to Minnesota's 11th ranking
GAME: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING @ CAROLINA HURRICANES OCT 6, 2009 7:00PM
ALEX SMART COMP
SPORT: National Hockey League Picks
PICK: Carolina Hurricanes
REASON FOR PICK: The Carolina Hurricanes (0-2) host a Tampa Bay Lightning(0-1) team that owned the NHL's worst defense last season. The Bolts started off their 2009/10 campaign struggling to keep the puck out of the back of the net again, losing 6-3 to the Thrashers. Im betting things will not get much better for the Bolts tonight when they face a Canes team that has owned them in recent meetings as is evident by 7 consecutive overall losses in this series , and and 6 straight negative efforts in Raleigh. I know the Canes are off a embarrassing 7-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on the weekend, but now will very primed for redemption after that humbling effort. Look for Canes goalie Cam Ward to bounce back, and show us why he had the 8th best GAA in the NHL last season. Final notes & Key Trends: TB have lost 8 straight after a game with 9 or total goals scored losing SU by an average of 1.5 GPG....Play on the Carolina Canes
ALEX SMART COMP
SPORT: National Hockey League Picks
PICK: Carolina Hurricanes
REASON FOR PICK: The Carolina Hurricanes (0-2) host a Tampa Bay Lightning(0-1) team that owned the NHL's worst defense last season. The Bolts started off their 2009/10 campaign struggling to keep the puck out of the back of the net again, losing 6-3 to the Thrashers. Im betting things will not get much better for the Bolts tonight when they face a Canes team that has owned them in recent meetings as is evident by 7 consecutive overall losses in this series , and and 6 straight negative efforts in Raleigh. I know the Canes are off a embarrassing 7-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on the weekend, but now will very primed for redemption after that humbling effort. Look for Canes goalie Cam Ward to bounce back, and show us why he had the 8th best GAA in the NHL last season. Final notes & Key Trends: TB have lost 8 straight after a game with 9 or total goals scored losing SU by an average of 1.5 GPG....Play on the Carolina Canes
Dominic Fazzini
I won my complimentary selection Monday, taking the over in the Packers-Vikings. Now I'm going to shine in the Sun Belt by playing Troy to cover the points in tonight's game against Middle Tennessee State.
The Trojans have won and covered in each of the last three meetings with the Blue Raiders, and they given strong showings the past two weeks, gaining conference victories over UAB (27-14 as a 6-point home favorite) and Arkansas State (30-27 as a 2 1/2-point road underdog).
Troy quarterback Levi Brown might be the best player in the Sun Belt. The senior has completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 1,097 yards and five touchdowns, guiding the Trojans to more than 500 yards of offense in each of the last two games.
And Troy's defense, which has six sacks and 26 quarterback hurries, can put a lot of pressure on Middle Tennessee QB Dwight Dasher.
The Trojans are 7-1 straight up and 6-2 ATS in weekday regular-season games since joining the Sun Belt in 2004.
Troy beat the Blue Raiders 31-17 as a 6-point road favorite last year, and 45-7 as a 13-point home favorite in 2007. The Trojans are also 7-3 ATS at home, 4-1 in conference play, 13-5 after a SU victory and 4-0 after a bye. Take Troy to cover the points again tonight.
2♦ TROY
I won my complimentary selection Monday, taking the over in the Packers-Vikings. Now I'm going to shine in the Sun Belt by playing Troy to cover the points in tonight's game against Middle Tennessee State.
The Trojans have won and covered in each of the last three meetings with the Blue Raiders, and they given strong showings the past two weeks, gaining conference victories over UAB (27-14 as a 6-point home favorite) and Arkansas State (30-27 as a 2 1/2-point road underdog).
Troy quarterback Levi Brown might be the best player in the Sun Belt. The senior has completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 1,097 yards and five touchdowns, guiding the Trojans to more than 500 yards of offense in each of the last two games.
And Troy's defense, which has six sacks and 26 quarterback hurries, can put a lot of pressure on Middle Tennessee QB Dwight Dasher.
The Trojans are 7-1 straight up and 6-2 ATS in weekday regular-season games since joining the Sun Belt in 2004.
Troy beat the Blue Raiders 31-17 as a 6-point road favorite last year, and 45-7 as a 13-point home favorite in 2007. The Trojans are also 7-3 ATS at home, 4-1 in conference play, 13-5 after a SU victory and 4-0 after a bye. Take Troy to cover the points again tonight.
2♦ TROY
Michael Cannon
Take the Tigers plus the run and a half tonight over the Twins.
I feel that this game is going to go down to the wire and I’m not convinced with Scott Baker pitching that the Twins can pull away in this game.
Baker is just 5-4 with a 4.33 ERA in 16 career starts against Detroit, including 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in four starts this year. The right-hander has been mediocre at home this year, going 6-5 with a 4.55 ERA.
Detroit will counter with rookie Rick Porcello, who is 14-9 with a 4.04 ERA on the year. The right-hander went 1-2 with a 3.09 ERA in four starts against the Twins this year.
The Tigers have enough firepower offensively that taking an extra run and a half with them makes them a no-brainer.
Take the Tigers plus the run and a half tonight over the Twins.
3♦ DETROIT +1 1/2 RUN LINE
Take the Tigers plus the run and a half tonight over the Twins.
I feel that this game is going to go down to the wire and I’m not convinced with Scott Baker pitching that the Twins can pull away in this game.
Baker is just 5-4 with a 4.33 ERA in 16 career starts against Detroit, including 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in four starts this year. The right-hander has been mediocre at home this year, going 6-5 with a 4.55 ERA.
Detroit will counter with rookie Rick Porcello, who is 14-9 with a 4.04 ERA on the year. The right-hander went 1-2 with a 3.09 ERA in four starts against the Twins this year.
The Tigers have enough firepower offensively that taking an extra run and a half with them makes them a no-brainer.
Take the Tigers plus the run and a half tonight over the Twins.
3♦ DETROIT +1 1/2 RUN LINE
Bobby Maxwell
It's one game for a shot at the postseason as these two teams couldn't get it decided after 162 games of regular season action. Tonight's FREE winner comes on the Twins as they are at home and on a roll.
This is a spot where you have to lay the big chalk and play the Twins. They were in this exact spot a year ago, only they were on the road for this one-game playoff for the division crown with Chicago.
Minnesota went to Chicago and lost 1-0, but the experience is going to pay off with a win tonight at home over the Tigers. The Twins come into this one on a high note, having won four in a row, while the Tigers lost 15 of their last 26 to let Minnesota get back in the division race. The Twins swept the Royals the final weekend of the season and won 16 of the last 20 games to get into this meeting.
Scott Baker (15-9, 4.36 ERA) is on the mound for Minnesota tonight at home, in front of a raucous group of fans, many of which probably just saw their beloved Vikings beat the Packers on Monday night in the very same stadium.
Baker faced the Tigers on Thursday and allowed just one unearned run over five innings of an 8-3 win in Detroit. He is 5-4 with a 4.33 ERA in his career against the Tigers. With Baker on the mound, the Twins are on positive runs of 8-2 overall, 6-1 at home, 10-2 against A.L. Central teams and 20-7 when he starts as a favorite.
Tigers' manager Jim Leyland is throwing rookie Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.04) in this one, who has been lousy in the Metrodome this year, going 0-2 with a 6.30 ERA in just 10 innings. Detroit is just 1-4 in his last five starts in the Metrodome.
Minnesota is surging, has more complete hitters and has the home field. That is the huge difference in this game. Take the Twins.
4♦ MINNESOTA
It's one game for a shot at the postseason as these two teams couldn't get it decided after 162 games of regular season action. Tonight's FREE winner comes on the Twins as they are at home and on a roll.
This is a spot where you have to lay the big chalk and play the Twins. They were in this exact spot a year ago, only they were on the road for this one-game playoff for the division crown with Chicago.
Minnesota went to Chicago and lost 1-0, but the experience is going to pay off with a win tonight at home over the Tigers. The Twins come into this one on a high note, having won four in a row, while the Tigers lost 15 of their last 26 to let Minnesota get back in the division race. The Twins swept the Royals the final weekend of the season and won 16 of the last 20 games to get into this meeting.
Scott Baker (15-9, 4.36 ERA) is on the mound for Minnesota tonight at home, in front of a raucous group of fans, many of which probably just saw their beloved Vikings beat the Packers on Monday night in the very same stadium.
Baker faced the Tigers on Thursday and allowed just one unearned run over five innings of an 8-3 win in Detroit. He is 5-4 with a 4.33 ERA in his career against the Tigers. With Baker on the mound, the Twins are on positive runs of 8-2 overall, 6-1 at home, 10-2 against A.L. Central teams and 20-7 when he starts as a favorite.
Tigers' manager Jim Leyland is throwing rookie Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.04) in this one, who has been lousy in the Metrodome this year, going 0-2 with a 6.30 ERA in just 10 innings. Detroit is just 1-4 in his last five starts in the Metrodome.
Minnesota is surging, has more complete hitters and has the home field. That is the huge difference in this game. Take the Twins.
4♦ MINNESOTA
d1g1t
hno:. Congrats on your nice start to the season.
