4* TEX +146
1* TEX -1.5 (not available yet)
1* TEX/MIL par +400
Detroit had its shot yesterday of making it a series. Today is a different story IMO. We are getting a sick price because Verlander is throwing to save the lives of the Tigers. Fact of the matter is books set this one way to high, knowing damn well everyone would be backing them. They got their wish. Verlander hasn't been doing anything special in the playoffs, 5.54 ERA and WHIP of 1.385 having only averaged 4.3 innings in 3 starts. Those certainely aren't numbers that I would want to lay that much on. CJ hasn't been anything special either and actually has worse numbers, however CJ is a more dominant road pitcher and this will be his first road challenge of the playoffs. On top of that he's not the one that's laying, instead he's a much overvalued dog. It's also worthy to note that Detroit had to go deep into their pen and many aren't available for today's game. If Verlander gets roughed up early it could get ugly very quickly. Ogando will be the only member of the Rangers pen that will not be available if trouble does arrise. Lets not forget that Texas loves beating up good pitchers....
TEXAS is 37-13 (+24.4 Units) against the money line vs. an AL starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.200 or better this season.
The average score was TEXAS 5.2, OPPONENT 3.4 - (Rating = 4*)