The bad news for the Orioles is that they are third in the AL East at 44-44 after the break. The good news is they are right in the thick of the race with no team running away with the division. The Orioles and Tigers conclude their first meeting since the teams played in the 2014 AL Division Series, which the Orioles swept in three games.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The O’s were picked by many to repeat as division champs but they’ve been inconsistent and injured most of the first half. They haven’t been as efficient on offense and their rotation needs plenty of support to succeed. The O’s staggered into the All-Star break on level ground (44-44) following a wild roller-coaster ride marred by erratic play with losses in 10 of their last 13. The O’s lost five of six on the road during that stretch and have the fewest road wins in the AL, going 15-25 down 9.53 units away from Camden Yards.
Though they have the same record as the Orioles at the break, the prospects of a fifth AL Central title look bleak for the Tigers. Scoring hasn’t been an issue with the Tigers, even with Miguel Cabrera on the shelf with a calf injury. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been an issue for opponents either. Detroit has been on a tear playing above the scoreline. The over is 9-0 in their last nine home games and 21-2 in their last 23 overall.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Miguel Gonzalez (7-6, 4.24 ERA) went five-plus innings allowing six runs, including two homers, against the Nationals on July 11 in his last start. It was the second time in his last three turns the righty gave up six runs. Since his eight-inning gem against the Rays on May 29, Gonzalez is just 2-3 with a 5.74 ERA. He’s also had a hard time keeping the ball in the yard with his 17 homers allowed the fourth-highest total in the AL.
Gonzalez has been pounded by the Tigers in his career, giving up 24 hits and six homers with an 8.47 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over 17 innings of four appearances.
Justin Verlander (0-2, 5.34 ERA) was sharp July 10 against Minnesota, mixing speeds and using his curveball and slider effectively in a 7.2 inning no-decision. He was robbed of a win when the bullpen imploded giving up seven runs in the ninth inning. He’s shown some obvious rust coming back from a long layoff to start the season but showed off mid-nineties velocity in an encouraging outing.
Verlander last pitched against the O’s in the 2014 ALDS giving up six hits and three runs taking a no-decision in a 7-6 loss. He’s been sharp in 15 career regular season starts against them going 9-2 with a 3.43 ERA.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“It’s been up and down. We’ve had some good stretches and some bad stretches, yet we’re still kind of right in the mix. So if we can get going in the second half, we have a good chance.” – Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
No Oriole has thrown a complete game in 2015, and no starter has even appeared in the ninth inning. The starters regularly exit before the seventh inning, be it high pitch counts, ineffective results or a very good bullpen behind them. The O’s will need their one-two punch of Zach Britton and Darren O’Day to stay strong in the second half for a run at the division. Britton was moved into the closer’s role last May and converted 33 of 37 save chances. He’s been even better this year with 23 saves in 24 chances and his only blown save resulted in a win. O’Day is 5-0 with a 1.07 ERA and has allowed barely five hits per nine innings, and for a pitcher not considered a strikeout guy, has fanned 12 per nine innings. It would be hard to believe both could replicate their first half success in the second half, but the Orioles need them to.
PROP TALK
Orioles’ starter Miguel Gonzalez has surrendered at least one home run in 10 of his 16 starts this season and the Tigers are pretty good at hitting the long ball. There’s a good chance Detroit gets one if Gonzalez can stay in the game long enough. The likely candidates would be J.D. Martinez, who leads the team with 25 homers, or Yoenis Cespedes, who has 13. The unlikely suspect would be Rajai Davis, who has more homers against Gonzalez than Miguel Cabrera, Martinez and Cespedes combined. Yep, that’s right. Davis has three homers in 12 career at-bats off the O’s lefty.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Justin Verlander looked like the pitcher of old in his last outing, though the win was taken from him by the bullpen. He showed excellent velocity, commanded the breaking ball and tantalized with his off-speed pitches. Getting him back pitching well is a boost for a rotation that’s been shaky at best. O’s starter Miguel Gonzalez has a knack for giving up the long ball and that’s not good against the Tigers, who will take advantage and roll to a win.
Detroit 7, Baltimore 4
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, player props and inning totals. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2015, at 1:08 p.m. ET at Comerica Park. The game will be televised live on FSD and MASN2.
