MLB Weekend Betting: Tigers can tear into Kansas

MLB / Nick Shiambouros / 14 August 2009 / Leave a Comment

"The Tigers are my best bet of the weekend and should run up the score against a Royal team who have the worst record in the American League."

Nick Shiambouros is predicting good things for Detroit at Kansas City and can see two other wins on a big weekend in the MLB.

The New York Yankees swept the Boston Red Sox 4-0 last weekend in New York with a dominant display. The Red Sox were outplayed in every department and now find themselves six games behind the Yankees in the AL East.

Things do not get any easier for Boston on Saturday as they travel to Texas to face a Ranger team that is fighting for a wild card place with the Red Sox. Brad Penny starts for Boston and has a record of 7-6 with an ERA of 5.16. This right-handed pitcher has a good variety of pitches but can be vulnerable particularly in the later innings.

Texas start Derek Holland has a record of 5-7 with an ERA of 5.04, but he is a pitcher in form. He is throwing the ball with pinpoint accuracy and is sure to give the out of form Boston hitters plenty of trouble. My money will be on Texas in this crucial game.

On Sunday the high flying Detroit Tigers host the Kansas City Royals in an AL Central game. The Tigers are clinging to a 2.5 game lead in the Central division but should make short work of the Royals. Rick Porcello was due to pitch but was ejected in his last start against Boston on Tuesday for intentionally hitting Kevin Youklis. Porcello is suspended and will be replaced by the capable Armando Galarraga.

The Royals are bottom of the AL Central and start Kyle Davies who has a record of 4-8. Davies has had a lot of trouble against the Tigers who have battered him in his last couple of starts. The Tigers are my best bet of the weekend and should run up the score against a Royal team who have the worst record in the American League.
　
Later on Sunday night the Yankees face the Seattle Mariners in beautiful Washington State. This is a very interesting affair with the Yankees starting new signing Chad Gaudin who came over from the San Diego Padres. This talented pitcher was signed to bolster the Yankees bullpen but he will debut as a starter on Sunday.

I am amazed New York signed another pitcher as they have a wealth of talent already. I am not sure if they will have enough room in the dugout to accommodate all these players.
Gaudin will face rookie Doug Fister who pitched superbly against the Chicago White Sox on his debut on Tuesday. Fister will get a real examination from the Yankee hitters on Sunday and he is sure to be a little nervous to say the least.

I am going to back New York in this one and I have a feeling it could be a high scoring affair. It is unlikely both starters will go more than six or seven innings but the Yankees have a much stronger bullpen.

All three games are scheduled to be shown live on ESPN America which is now on Sky (430).

Recommended wagers
Saturday 1am back Texas @ [2.2]
Sunday 6pm back Detroit @ [1.9]
Sunday 9pm back New York @ [1.75]