Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland Athletics
4:05 PM ET, April 13, 2013
O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California
The Tigers have the betting public very upset as they have not come out of the gates as strong as people had expected. They have shown some great play through a few innings… but it never seems to last. They have overthrown first base three times so far. Also, little unforced errors have come back to cost them the game. Oakland on the other hand, is picking up right where they left off last season - winning. They have shown great patience at the plate and seem to be working their pitching line up very well, getting fresh closers to come in ready to go.
The Tigers signed out Justin Verlander, the best pitcher in baseball as well as the wealthiest, thanks to a new $250 million, 7 year contract. Verlander has not had the start they expected. He has 2 games under his 2013 belt with a 2.19 ERA, only 11 strikeouts in over 9 innings to go along with a win and a loss. They will need him in this game to come alive and really burry batters at the plate.
Brett Anderson comes to the mount for the Athletics. He is a 5 year veteran with the team. Anderson has shown some really good improvements and had a great season last year. In his first two games he has gone 1-1 with the loss coming at the hands of the teams closer, who allowed two runs in the ninth. Anderson rests behind a 1.38 ERA and 16 strikeouts. The Athletics are 1st overall in the AL West and are led by Coco Crisp, who has gotten hot with 4 home runs, 6 RBI’s and 11 runs scored so far.
YOUR INSIDE SCOOP…
The line is set and the public could not be happier; Detroit is favored -170. Keep in mind that the line opened at -130 and has been torched all the way up, but the wise guys know why. Playing Oakland in California is a different game and they are red hot looking to prove themselves. Wait till game day and take the Dog at the best price you can find; this will be Verlander’s second loss of the year.
