Last Sunday we gave you the Tigers as our POD for their success vs. LHP and we gave you a win for the 37th time in our last 51 5.5* max plays going back to the NFL season. Today it's based on the same reason that the Tigers have absolutely dominated left handed pitching. Now they got a tough start against Bumgarner last night, but I fully anticipate them to bounce back getting Barry Zito a pitcher they are very familiar with. Victor Martinez is 8-22 vs. the lefty and the Tigers remain the #4 team in the majors in OPS vs. LHP. Zito is also on 3 days rest in just his second start back from the DL and that to me spells trouble. He has a 6.69 ERA in inter league games vs. the AL since 2007 with a 3-10 record. Detroit is 43-20 in their last 60 home games vs. LH starters and Max Scherzer is 16-5 in his last 21 home starts as a favorite. Scherzer who has a 2.60 ERA in 3 starts vs. the Giants will enjoy going up against a struggling offense that has a .218 average and 3.19 runs per 9 vs. RHP over their last 10 games. Scherzer has a 3.13 ERA in 10 home starts with a 5-1 record he has definately pitched better at home and he is capable of much more than his ERA suggests as his xFIP is a lot lower. His problem has been giving up the long ball and luckily the Giants are 25th with just 39 HR on the year.
It's a rematch of the Brewers 6-2 win as Narverson and Pavano collide, but the Brewers are the worst road team in the NL just 15-28 and they are 1-6 vs. AL teams. narverson too just 1-3 on the road with a 4.93 ERA and a 5.26 ERA at night while Pavano who also struggles on the road will benefit from being home this time around where he is 3-1 and posts a 2.64 ERA. He's also pitched better during night starts with a 3.48 ERA. Milwaukee has really struggled in AL ball parks just 2.4 runs per game and a .214 average. Joe Mauer has a 3 hit game on Friday and looks to be getting back in a groove. The Twins are 39-13 in their last 52 inter league home games and 20-8 in their last 28 inter league vs. a LH starter. During their last 10 games they have a .295 average and are scoring 7.30 runs per 9 vs. LHP.
