We head to Comerica Park in Detroit for the rubber game between the Detroit Tigers and Oakland A’s. Detroit is off to a nice 6-2 start by taking advantage of a weak schedule to start the season. They’ve faced the White Sox, Mets and now Oakland to begin the year. Detroit grabbed game one during their home opener Friday afternoon while the A’s were able to bounce back yesterday shutting out the Tigers 4-0.

Both clubs are struggling to score runs as the Tigers rank 24th in the league with runs per game and Oakland sits 29th. Detroit’s pitching has been spectacular to start the season ranking 4th in the league in ERA and 8th in K’s per 9 innings. Today’s matchup should be no different as Detroit has a huge pitching advantage on the mound.

Jack Flaherty takes the hill for the Tigers off a quality start against the White Sox striking out seven batters. He currently holds a 1-0 record with a 1.50 ERA. Oakland will turn to Joe Boyle, who comes in off a nine run outing to the Boston Red Sox. The A’s defense didn’t help Boyle out as they committed costly errors, but Boyle has been known to walk hitters at an alarming rate. This will be just his fifth career MLB start and I expect the Tigers bats to jump out early after being shutout yesterday. The money line is high so for best value will try to get in and get out.

Official Pick: Tigers F5 -.5 -117 BetRivers

By the Black Bookie

Photo by MLB