The Detroit Tigers ended a nine-game losing streak on Monday with a 6-5 win in ten innings over the Atlanta Braves at Comerica Park. Spencer Torkelson and Zack Short came through in the clutch at the plate in the last two innings, and Andy Ibanez, who the Tigers claimed off waivers in the off-season, helped with his glove and his bat. Ibanez threw Sam Hilliard out at the plate to end the Braves’ chance in the top of the tenth, and that opened the door for Torkelson’s single in the bottom half of the inning to deliver the walkoff win. This weekend, the Tigers visit Minnesota for a four-game set between AL Central rivals. Before you lock in your MLB betting choices on these games, check out our previews.
MLB Betting News: Series Spotlight: Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins (June 15-18) | MLB Lines
Matthew Boyd (3-5, 5.55 ERA) (DET) vs Sonny Gray (4-1, 2.25 ERA) (MIN)
When: Thursday, June 15, 7:10 pm ET
Where: Target Field
Live Stream: MLB.tv
It’s been feast or famine for Matthew Boyd lately; in his last four starts, he has alternated between giving up a single earned run or getting lit up for five. He has only finished six innings once over that stretch, and his most recent outing saw the Arizona Diamondbacks score five runs on six hits, including a pair of home runs, as he struck out three and walked two in a 5-0 loss. The fact that he has only finished six innings twice this season tells us that the bullpen will have a lot of work to do, and the Tigers’ inconsistent offense makes the task even tougher.
Sonny Gray had an electric April, posting a 4-0 record and a minuscule 0.77 ERA. Since then, he hasn’t won a single decision, although a lot of that has to do with poor work from the bullpen and a lack of offensive support. He still hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a game, and he has only allowed one home run all season, so he’s keeping the ball down. He also hasn’t issued more than three walks in any game since his season debut, when he issued four free passes but still held Kansas City scoreless. Twins to win.
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Joey Wentz (1-6, 7.23 ERA) (DET) vs Joe Ryan (7-3, 2.90 ERA) (MIN)
When: Friday, June 16, 8:10 pm ET
Where: Target Field
Live Stream: MLB.tv
The Tigers haven’t gotten much in the way of stamina out of Joey Wentz this season, as he hasn’t completed five innings in a start since May 8. When a team’s batting order sees him a second or third time, bad things start to happen. Over his last five starts, his longest outing has been 4 ⅔ innings, and while he had the most success on May 31, going 4 ⅓ innings while permitting just one run on seven hits, striking out five while walking just one, he has permitted 19 earned runs over his last 19 ⅓ innings, and his ERA has climbed from 6.38 to 7.23 over that span.
Joe Ryan’s ERA has ticked up over the past few weeks, moving from 2.21 on May 24 to its current 2.90 level. Over his last three starts, he has permitted 10 earned runs over 16 ⅔ innings, allowing a dozen hits, including a pair of home runs. He is reliable to go six innings in most cases, and while his numbers are creeping upward, they’re not nearly as generous as what Wentz has posted this season. Twins to win.
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Undecided (DET) vs Louie Varland (3-2, 4.70 ERA) (MIN)
When: Saturday, June 17, 2:10 pm ET
Where: Target Field
Live Stream: ESPN+
The Detroit starting rotation has taken hits this season. Matt Manning went on the injured list after taking a line drive to his foot. Beau Brieske went down in spring training and might not return all season. Tarik Skubal has started a rehab assignment but has yet to return. Spencer Turnbull saw his ERA climb over 7.00 and then went on the injured list. This means that a lot of the Tigers’ games will see spot starters or pitching by committee, and Saturday and Sunday’s games are no different.
Louie Varland’s ERA had dropped as low as 3.51 after a seven-inning gem in Houston on May 31, when he scattered four hits and a walk while striking out five and holding the Astros scoreless in an 8-2 win. Since then, though, he has allowed 11 earned runs on 12 hits, including three long balls, over 10 ⅔ innings in losses to Tampa Bay and Toronto. Varland tends to give up runs, but he’s been finding too much of the plate lately. Tigers to win.
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Undecided (DET) vs Pablo Lopez (3-3, 4.27 ERA) (MIN)
When: Sunday, June 18, 2:10 pm ET
Where: Target Field
Live Stream: MLB.tv
Pablo Lopez’s last two starts have shown an improvement, and his ERA has dropped from 4.54 to 4.27. His last two starts have seen him throw 13 innings combined against Tampa Bay and Milwaukee, and he allowed four runs on nine hits, including a home run, wtriking out 15 while walking two. With that kind of stuff, he should be able to manage the Detroit lineup against a pitching committee or a call-up starter. Twins to win.
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