Giants, Tigers Evenly Matched Heading Into Series Finale
Who: San Francisco Giants v. Detroit Tigers
When: Thursday July 6th, 2017 1:10PM EST
Where: Comerica Park—Detroit, Michigan
Through the first 2 games of the 3-game series, the San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers have each recorded one victory. When the two sides meet, they will do so as some of the worst two teams in Major League Baseball at the present moment in time. On Wednesday, the Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 lead by the end of the 4th inning, but managed to hold off a 4-run Giant rally in the 7th to emerge 5-4 victors.
For the Giants, their biggest problem on Wednesday was starting a rookie left-handed pitcher against a Tigers lineup that is full of more than competent right-handed hitters. As you can see from the stat line, the Tigers did not have much trouble. Once the Giants bullpen got into play, however, the Detroit bats really quieted down. Still, the 5-run lead opened up by the Tigers was enough to see them through to the W. On Thursday, the pitching matchup is even more suspect than it was a day ago, so I am sure we are in for quite the treat.
Game Overview and Analysis
On Thursday afternoon, Johnny Cueto (6-7 4.26 ERA) will take the mound for the Giants (-108). If we flashback a few years, Cueto would be someone who is more than familiar with the Tigers. After all, when he played for both Cincinnati and Kansas City, the right-hander threw against the Tigers 5 times in one season, all to decent effect. Having not faced Detroit in a few years, and coming off of 2 decent outings, Cueto will look to take advantage and secure a second straight victory for himself and his team.
Opposing Cueto for the Tigers (-112) will be the veteran, Anibal Sanchez (0-0 6.34 ERA). Despite Sanchez’s somewhat elevated ERA, he has pitched quite well this season, and esepecially so in recent starts. Though Sanchez began the year coming from the bullpen, he has been thrust into the starting rotation. In his 3 starts this season, Sanchez has not been able to record a decision, but has given his team a decent chance to win each and every game, however the Tigers only won 2 of those 3. If this were the matchup a month ago, I would say that Sanchez will have absolutely no issues taking care of a weak San Francisco offense.
Nowadays, however, the Giants seem to be slowly but surely turning things around. Right now, the Giants have won 7 of their last 8 games. Though they are still more than 20 games back of division leaders, LA, they are beginning to find their form at the right time.
The Tigers, on the other hand, have been playing as inconsistent as ever. They also sit near the bottom of their division, but unlike the Giants are only 7 games back and within striking distance of the leaders. Of course, if either of these two teams want to have any shot at postseason baseball, they will need to pick up their overall level of play. The Giants simply need to continue doing what they have been for the past week or so, while the Tigers need to replicate what the Giants have been doing for the past week or so.
Betting Prediction
As you can tell from their respective moneyline odds, the Tigers (-112) and the Giants (-108) are evenly matched, according to Bovada. As far as how this game will play out, I would put my money on the Giants. I am basing this pick less on the pitchers who are starting the game, and more on the recent form of the two teams. The Giants have flat-out been playing the best baseball of their season at this point, and are looking like a .500 team rather than one that is nearly 20 games below. I think that Cueto, with his experience and solid record against the Tigers, will earn the victory and help see the Giants to victory.
The Giants’ team over/under is listed by Bovada at 4.5 runs (-135/+105). Though they were barely able to eclipse that tally on Wednesday, I think they will do it Thursday afternoon. Anibal has been inconsistent this year, and so too has the Tigers’ bullpen. If the Giants can even get 2 runs past Sanchez, I do not see them having much trouble adding a few once the bullpen has been called in.
Bovada lists the game’s over/under at 10 runs (-120/-110). Though I recommend the Giants’ team over, I do think that this game will stay under 10 runs. There is not a crazy amount of value in this bet, but with teams that are sitting in such poor standing, it is difficult to recommend that you rely on their bats. As such, I really think you are safe going with the under. There is an alternate over/under of 8.5, but I would stay away from that altogether.