MLB Game Preview for Saturday May 28, 2011: Boston Red Sox @ Detroit Tigers

Discussion in 'American League Central' started by UncleRico, May 27, 2011.

  1. UncleRico

    UncleRico Suspended

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    Online Sports Betting Overview

    The Boston Red Sox are a classic example of a team that has done a complete 180 degree turn this season. Prior to the 2011 Belmont Stakes betting getting started this year, the Red Sox started their MLB season with a 2-10 record. As sportsbook promo Red Sox fans watched, the team got off to the worst start in its history. That is a history that extends all the way back to 1901. There was panic in Red Sox nation, and that panic was justified. The biggest problem for the Red Sox was that their much-hyped starting pitching rotation was not living up to its expectations. Over time, the pitching got better and so did the Red Sox. Now the Red Sox are living through two of their starting pitchers being hurt, but this time the damage is being minimized.

    The Detroit Tigers had everything to look forward to this season. They had improved their starting rotation, added some depth to their bullpen and already had a fairly powerful offense. The Tigers looked to be the best team in what was turning out to be a very evenly-matched AL Central. Then the Cleveland Indians happened, and now the Tigers find themselves chasing the Indians and falling way behind. Every baseball fan knows that division titles are decided in September and not May, so it is in the Tigers’ best interest to stay involved in the AL Central hunt and hope that the Indians fall back to the Earth. In the meantime, Detroit has to continue to battle teams like the Boston Red Sox who are climbing the AL East ladder quickly.

    Boston Red Sox
    The Red Sox have recovered their footing after stumbling at the beginning of the season. Boston is riding a three-game winning streak and currently tied for the AL East lead. This is coming off of a recent seven-game winning streak that saw the Red Sox put in provisional pitchers that turned out to be stars. One pitcher that is still trying to find his groove in this game’s starting pitcher, Clay Buchholz. Buchholz got off to a 1-3 start to this season, but his last three decisions have been wins which pushes his record to 4-3. His 3.30 ERA is much improved over what it was at the beginning of the season. The Red Sox are hoping that Buchholz can continue his winning streak and be one of the driving forces that takes the Red Sox to the playoffs this year.

    Detroit Tigers
    The Boston Red Sox have scored a combined 28 runs in their last two games, and half of those runs came in the first game of this series with the Tigers. The Tigers are figuring that power on the mound will slow the Red Sox bats, and that is why Detroit is calling up Andrew Oliver for this game. This will be Oliver’s first MLB start this season. Oliver has an 0-4 record and a 7.36 career ERA in the majors, which does not bode well for Detroit. Oliver is a left-handed power pitcher sent out to try and take on the Red Sox right-handed power-hitting lineup. It is an interesting choice by the Tigers, but it could backfire on them.

    The Bottom Line
    The Red Sox just got done embarrassing the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians 14-1 before pounding the Tigers by the same score in game one of this series. It is not likely that the Tigers’ fortunes will change in this series.

    Pick: Boston Red Sox
     

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