Saturday MLB Betting Preview: Texas Rangers vs. Detroit Tigers

With the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers both sitting in third place in their respective divisions, the Wild Card option seems their most likely path to the playoffs. It’s tough to call the series between these two a make or break type situation, but in the case of the Tigers, that is what it may well end up being if they don’t get anything out of this MLB betting series. The third of the 4 games will be played in Detroit on Saturday.

Texas vs. Detroit MLB Game Info

Date/Time: Saturday, August 22nd, 7:08 PM Location: Comerica Park, Detroit, MI TV: FS1 Radio: 105.3 The Fan Opening line: Texas -115

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The Tigers (59-61) helped their cause by shutting out the Rangers 4-0 in the first game. That is no small feat considering how well Texas had been playing offensively in the past couple of weeks. The good news for Detroit is that they will have Justin Verlander on the mound for the second game in this series on Friday. While Verlander may not be the pitcher he was in his prime, he has shown flashes of his former brilliance in his last few starts. If he can throw another gem, the Tigers could have a real stranglehold on this series by the time Saturday rolls around. They are 3.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot now, and have to get on a roll if they want to get in. Veteran Randy Wolf will get his first start of the season on Saturday. Losing the first game of the series can put a team behind the 8-ball, and in the case of the Texas Rangers (61-59, it also take them a step further back from the playoff spot they so desire. This team has shown the ability to bounce back from adversity this season, and they are not that far removed from a 5-game win streak that helped get them right back in the hunt. They are going to have to get through the next stretch of games without the services of Josh Hamilton. It is not personal issues this time around, but rather knee issues that will put Hamilton on the 15-day DL. The Rangers are well aware that they are still in the division hunt, with both the Astros and Angels on a poor run of form at the moment. Another good winning streak by Texas could see the West become very interesting down the stretch. Yovani Gallardo (9-9, 3.39 ERA) will be on the mound for the Rangers.

 

Key Betting Trends

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas’s last 5 games
• Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games when playing at home against Texas

You have to wonder just how sharp Randy Wolf is going to be in his first start. If the Rangers can jump on him early, they could cruise to the win here.