Porcello vs. Baker as Twins in one-game playoff again

[Lumi]

Porcello vs. Baker as Twins in one-game playoff again

Not a lot of folks really like the Metrodome, with its difficult roof and trash-bag fence. But the Minnesota Twins seem to love it, because they won't let it close.

Baseball lives in the Metrodome for at least one more game, and they don't get any bigger than this: a playoff against the Detroit Tigers, with the winner going to the postseason and the loser going home.

The Twins are the first team in baseball history to play a one-game playoff in consecutive years. They dropped a 1-0 road game to the Chicago White Sox last year but have the home-field advantage this year, going 11-7 vs. the Tigers in the regular season.

Minnesota was 48-33 at home this season, matching the ninth-best record in the majors this season. Detroit was 35-46 on the road, including 2-7 at the Metrodome.

Both teams have solid young righthanders pitching in the biggest game of their careers.

The Tigers have rookie Rick Porcello, who is 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA in his last seven starts. In four starts vs. the Twins, he is 1-2 with a 3.09 ERA. He has faced them twice in his last three starts, taking a loss and a no-decision as Detroit dropped both games.

The Twins have five-year veteran Scott Baker, who is 6-2 with a 3.32 ERA in his last 10 starts. In four starts vs. the Tigers, he is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA. The win came Thursday with five scoreless innings at Detroit.

Both teams should be able to go deep into their bullpens if the starters falter. The game is not until Tuesday as the Metrodome is unavailable on Monday because of the Packers-Vikings game.

Although there is no line or total yet, the Twins have been favored in 10 of their last 12 home games. They were -111 with Baker vs. Justin Verlander on May 14 and -180 vs. with Baker vs. Nate Robertson on Sept. 20.

 

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What bettors need to know: Tigers-Twins tiebreaker

What bettors need to know: Tigers-Twins tiebreaker

What bettors need to know: Tigers-Twins tiebreaker
Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins (-165, 8)



For the second year in a row, 162 games aren't enough to decide the AL Central division title. The Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins will square off in Minneapolis on Tuesday for a trip to the postseason and an opening round playoff matchup against the New York Yankees.

Resilient Twins force a tie

On September 6th, the Twins were seven games out of first place with only 26 games to play. A week later, the club lost 2006 AL MVP Justin Morneau for the rest of the year due to an injury. Somehow, Minnesota overcame the loss of Morneau to win 16 of its last 20 games to force the tie.

While the Twins surged, the Tigers slumped. Detroit struggled to an 11-15 finish and was unable to wrap up the title. Even a three-game lead with four to play wasn't enough for Detroit.

The Twins comeback has brought back memories of the 2006 campaign. Three years ago, the Tigers held a 10-game lead over Minnesota in early August. Detroit went 19-31 in its last 50 games, while the Twins went 30-20 over the same stretch to steal the division. The Tigers still landed a wild-card spot and ultimately went on to win the AL Pennant.

Young hurlers set to square off

Because Detroit had to use ace right-hander Justin Verlander on Sunday, the Tigers will have to pin their hopes on a 20-year-old rookie to keep their season alive. Right-hander Rick Porcello has registered 14 victories for the Tigers in 2009. He has pitched his best baseball down the stretch, going 5-2 with a 3.19 ERA since August. While he has posted two strong efforts at home against the Twins this season, Porcello has a 6.30 ERA in two starts at the Metrodome.

The Twins will turn to righty Scott Baker on Tuesday. He delivered a clutch effort on Thursday at Detroit to keep the Twins alive in Minnesota's 8-3 win. Baker didn't allow an earned run in five innings after struggling against the Tigers earlier in the year. He?s posted a 13-3 record since June and leads the club in wins with 15.

Metrodome still open for Twins

While the fans and players of the Twins are eagerly looking forward to playing outdoors at the new Target Field in 2010, they aren't quite ready to close the garbage bag on the Metrodome. The atmosphere in the dome played a critical role in world championships for the Twins in 1987 and 1991. Because of their 11-7 regular season series edge over the Tigers, the Twins will get at least one more opportunity to take the field at the Metrodome.

This year, Minnesota is 48-33 at home with a 9-1 mark to close the regular season in Minneapolis. In contrast, the Tigers are just 35-46 on the road with only two wins in nine efforts at the dome this season.

Even with Morneau on the shelf, the Twins appear to have a slight edge offensively over Detroit. Minnesota finished fourth in the league in runs scored while Detroit finished 11th. The Tigers fared better on the mound with the AL's fifth best team ERA compared to Minnesota's 11th ranking.

 

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One more in Minnesota ought to do it

One more in Minnesota ought to do it

One more in Minnesota ought to do it

What is the deal with baseball teams not being able to determine a winner after playing 162 games? In the entire history of Major League Baseball, there has only been eight previous one game playoffs to determine a division or league winner, however this will be the third in three years when Detroit travels to Minnesota.


This is turning out to be quite a 24-hour period at the Metrodome, with Brett Favre facing his old team and Vikings fans in full throat going up against the North Division rival the Green Bay Packers. This is followed up on Tuesday with AL Central rivals Detroit and the Twins having to settle their differences in the diamond.

The Twins and Tigers finished with identical 86-76 records; however there is no doubt who has the momentum. Minnesota closed the season 16-4, which included four victories over Detroit to force a second straight 163rd game. Besides playing exceptional baseball, the Twins will have the home field advantage, which is as intimidating a place in baseball when the place is packed. Officials in Minnesota decided to pull back the upper-deck outfield curtain to expand seating to more than 50,000 fans for the game. Tickets sold out within minutes. The Twins are 48-33 on their home field this season

"Every pitch," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said, "will be a roar."

The Tigers could use a roar of their own, winning four times in last 10 games to find themselves in this predicament. Subtract the 12-5 win over Chicago on Sept. 26 and the Detroit offensive has tallied 3.1 runs per game to finish the season. From a matchup standpoint, not many strong points for the Tigers to rally around with 7-11 record vs. Minnesota this season (the reason the game is in Minneapolis), including a 2-7 record when playing under the roof.

Playing in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and 50,000 screaming Twins fans is part of the reason the Tigers finished 35-46 on the road this year. Manager Leyland is hoping the bats wake up, with his club is 24-11 having lost three of their last four games this season.

What a spot for a rookie pitcher, which is what Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.40 ERA) faces. Porcello closed strong with 2-1 record, not allowing more than three runs in any of his last four starts. The down side for the right-hander is 0-2 mark, with a 6.30 ERA in two starts at the Metrodome.

Bookmaker.com has Minny as -165 money line favorites with total Un8.5. Scott Baker (15-9, 4.36) has the assignment for Ron Gardenhire and likes the setup. ?There's no way to go around the fact that we're playing in the Dome and not in Detroit," said Twins right-hander. "I think we've seen in the past how well we play in front of our fans and how much it can affect the outcome of the game. We're all very excited to be here at the Dome."

Minnesota is 24-7 in home games with an on-base percentage of .360 or better over their last 15 games and they are 24-7 when Baker starts as a favorite of -125 to -175 over the last three seasons.

For totals players, the side might be an indication of how to bet the total. The Twinkies are 14-5 OVER at home with a hot bullpen whose ERA is under 3.00 the last 15 games this season. Detroit on the other hand is 16-6 UNDER as an underdog of +125 to +175 in 2009.

Don?t look to history to leave many clues, with the home team 4-4 in play-in games. First pitch is 5:07 Eastern on TBS and possibly the winner is told by the line. Detroit is 30-59 as a road underdog of +100 or higher over the last two seasons and Minnesota is 76-40 as a home favorite of -110 or higher in the same time span.

The winner gets the Yankees in New York on Wednesday to start ALDS.

 

[Lumi]

Trends - Detroit at Minnesota

Trends - Detroit at Minnesota

Trends - Detroit at Minnesota

W/L Trends

Detroit

Tigers are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a road underdog of +151 to +200.
Tigers are 5-1 in their last 6 playoff games as an underdog.
Tigers are 5-2 in their last 7 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Tigers are 5-2 in their last 7 road games.
Tigers are 7-3 in their last 10 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Tigers are 9-4 in their last 13 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Tigers are 65-133 in their last 198 games as an underdog of +151 to +200.
Tigers are 27-58 in their last 85 games as a road underdog.
Tigers are 1-4 in their last 5 playoff games.
Tigers are 1-5 in their last 6 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Tigers are 1-7 in their last 8 during game 1 of a series.
Tigers are 4-1 in Porcellos last 5 starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Tigers are 5-2 in Porcellos last 7 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Tigers are 1-4 in Porcellos last 5 road starts.
Tigers are 1-4 in Porcellos last 5 starts as a road underdog.
Tigers are 1-4 in Porcellos last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.


Minnesota

Twins are 6-0 in their last 6 during game 1 of a series.
Twins are 5-0 in their last 5 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Twins are 9-1 in their last 10 games on fieldturf.
Twins are 9-1 in their last 10 home games.
Twins are 6-1 in their last 7 games as a favorite.
Twins are 10-2 in their last 12 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Twins are 12-3 in their last 15 games following a win.
Twins are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Twins are 11-3 in their last 14 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Twins are 20-6 in their last 26 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Twins are 16-5 in their last 21 overall.
Twins are 21-7 in their last 28 vs. American League Central.
Twins are 20-7 in their last 27 Tuesday games.
Twins are 11-4 in their last 15 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Twins are 28-11 in their last 39 games following an off day.
Twins are 5-2 in their last 7 games as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
Twins are 7-3 in their last 10 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Twins are 71-32 in their last 103 games as a home favorite.
Twins are 68-32 in their last 100 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Twins are 3-13 in their last 16 playoff games.
Twins are 0-7 in their last 7 playoff home games.
Twins are 5-0 in Bakers last 5 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Twins are 6-1 in Bakers last 7 starts on fieldturf.
Twins are 6-1 in Bakers last 7 home starts.
Twins are 6-1 in Bakers last 7 starts as a home favorite.
Twins are 10-2 in Bakers last 12 starts vs. American League Central.
Twins are 5-1 in Bakers last 6 Tuesday starts.
Twins are 8-2 in Bakers last 10 starts.
Twins are 4-1 in Bakers last 5 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Twins are 4-1 in Bakers last 5 starts as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Twins are 4-1 in Bakers last 5 starts as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
Twins are 6-2 in Bakers last 8 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Twins are 20-7 in Bakers last 27 starts as a favorite.
Twins are 10-4 in Bakers last 14 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Twins are 5-2 in Bakers last 7 starts with 4 days of rest.


OU Trends

Detroit

Under is 3-0-1 in Tigers last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 4-0-1 in Tigers last 5 during game 1 of a series.
Over is 4-0-1 in Tigers last 5 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Under is 3-0-1 in Tigers last 4 on fieldturf.
Over is 8-2-1 in Tigers last 11 games following a win.
Over is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 road games.
Under is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 games as a road underdog.
Over is 4-1 in Tigers last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 3-1-2 in Tigers last 6 vs. American League Central.
Under is 3-1-1 in Tigers last 5 games following an off day.
Over is 6-2-1 in Tigers last 9 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 3-1-2 in Tigers last 6 overall.
Over is 11-4-2 in Tigers last 17 Tuesday games.
Under is 5-2-1 in Tigers last 8 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 9-4-2 in Tigers last 15 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 9-4-1 in Tigers last 14 road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Under is 3-0-1 in Porcellos last 4 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 4-1 in Porcellos last 5 starts as a road underdog.
Under is 8-2-1 in Porcellos last 11 starts during game 1 of a series.
Over is 4-1 in Porcellos last 5 road starts.
Under is 4-1-1 in Porcellos last 6 starts as an underdog.
Over is 4-1 in Porcellos last 5 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Over is 3-1-1 in Porcellos last 5 Tuesday starts.
Under is 9-3 in Porcellos last 12 starts vs. American League Central.


Minnesota

Over is 4-0 in Twins last 4 games following a win.
Over is 5-0-1 in Twins last 6 vs. American League Central.
Over is 3-0-1 in Twins last 4 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Over is 3-0-1 in Twins last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 5-0-1 in Twins last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 3-0-1 in Twins last 4 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-0-1 in Twins last 6 games as a favorite.
Over is 5-0-1 in Twins last 6 overall.
Under is 6-1-1 in Twins last 8 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Under is 4-1 in Twins last 5 games following an off day.
Over is 4-1 in Twins last 5 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Under is 4-1 in Twins last 5 playoff games as a favorite.
Over is 3-1-1 in Twins last 5 when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 6-2-2 in Twins last 10 Tuesday games.
Under is 6-2-2 in Twins last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 9-3-1 in Twins last 13 during game 1 of a series.
Over is 3-1-2 in Twins last 6 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 3-1-1 in Twins last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 3-1-1 in Twins last 5 home games.
Over is 3-1-1 in Twins last 5 on fieldturf.
Over is 17-7-1 in Twins last 25 games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Under is 3-0-1 in Bakers last 4 starts as a home favorite.
Under is 3-0-1 in Bakers last 4 home starts.
Under is 3-0-1 in Bakers last 4 starts on fieldturf.
Over is 4-1 in Bakers last 5 starts during game 1 of a series.
Over is 4-1 in Bakers last 5 starts as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Over is 19-6-1 in Bakers last 26 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-2 in Bakers last 6 starts with 4 days of rest.
Over is 9-3 in Bakers last 12 home starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 17-6-1 in Bakers last 24 starts vs. American League Central.
Under is 5-2-2 in Bakers last 9 starts overall.
Under is 5-2-1 in Bakers last 8 starts as a favorite.
Over is 12-5-2 in Bakers last 19 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Over is 12-5-1 in Bakers last 18 starts vs. a team with a winning record.


Head to Head

Under is 4-0-1 in the last 5 meetings in Minnesota.
Under is 4-0 in Porcellos last 4 starts vs. Twins.
Over is 6-1 in Bakers last 7 starts vs. Tigers.
Tigers are 28-61 in the last 89 meetings in Minnesota.


Umpire Trends - Name unavailable

No trends available.

 

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Central Supremacy

Central Supremacy

Central Supremacy

For the third straight season, one spot in the postseason is undetermined after 162 games. It's deja-vu all over again in the AL Central, as the Twins go for the division title in game 163. However, the venue changes from last season, as well as the opponent, hosting the Tigers.

The Twins and White Sox were all knotted up at the end of the 2008 regular season, with the play-in game taking place on the South Side of Chicago. The Sox squeezed by the Twins, 1-0, thanks to a Jim Thome solo homer off Minnesota righty Nick Blackburn in the seventh inning. Chicago went on to lose to the eventual AL-champion Rays in four games in the ALDS.

Minnesota has been on a massive charge to catch Detroit, as the Twins have won 16 of their past 20, doing it all without clean-up hitter Justin Morneau. The offense hasn't missed a beat with their All-Star first baseman hurt, scoring six runs or more in 12 games. The Twins didn't pick up any ground in the crucial four-game set at Detroit last week, splitting the series. However, Minnesota took care of its business by sweeping Kansas City over the weekend, in what was thought to be the final home games at the Metrodome.

That has changed, at least for one day, as Minnesota goes for its 16th win in its last 22 games at the Homerdome. In fact, the Twins received this game at home after a vote by general managers in the winter to give the team with the better head-to-head record home-field advantage (Twins lost a coin flip to the White Sox last season despite owning a better head-to-head mark against Chicago).

The Twins won the season series, 11-7, including a 7-2 mark at home. Betting the total was not a solid proposition, as the 'over' went 8-7-3, but the 'under' hit in five of nine games at the Metrodome (including one push).

The Tigers come into Minneapolis stumbling, winning 11 of their last 26 games. To put it in proper perspective, Jim Leyland's club was 75-61 on September 6, after a three-game sweep of the Rays in St. Pete. That same day, the Twins fell at Cleveland, dropping Minnesota's record to 68-68, and seven games back of the Tigers in the Central. The Detroit offense has shut down, scoring two runs or less nine times in this stretch.

Detroit will put all its eggs into the basket of 21-year old Rick Porcello to get the Tigers into the postseason. Porcello (14-9, 4.04 ERA) started the season on fire, going 8-4 his first 12 decisions. However, the right-hander went 6-5 since late June, while compiling just five quality starts his last 17 trips to the hill. Don't expect a high pitch count out of Porcello, who tossed at least 100 pitches only four times in 30 starts.

One of the four outings Porcello threw over 100 pitches came his last time out, at home against Minnesota. Porcello scattered seven hits and one earned run in 6.1 innings of work last Tuesday, but the Tigers fell in extra-innings, 3-2. Detroit finished 1-3 in Porcello's four outings against Minnesota, but three of those starts were quality ones.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, they needed their top two hurlers to pitch against the White Sox over the weekend, as Edwin Jackson lost Friday, but 19-game winner Justin Verlander saved Detroit's season with a victory on Sunday.

On the flip side, the Twins send their top pitcher, Scott Baker to the mound Tuesday. Baker (15-9, 4.36 ERA) started the season in opposite fashion of Porcello. The Minnesota righty went 2-6 through the first two months, allowing 39 ER in 52.2 IP (an ERA of 6.72). Since June, Baker has been electric, compiling a 13-3 mark, while giving up 57 ER in 141 IP (an ERA of 3.63).

Facing Detroit hasn't been the easiest task for Baker this season, despite the Twins splitting his four starts against the Tigers. Baker has not put together a quality start against Detroit, while allowing 15 ER in 20 IP. Baker did beat the Tigers at Comerica Park last Thursday, 8-3, in essence keeping Minnesota's season alive.

capper Bruce Marshall says Ron Gardenhire will likely use a pitcher by committee, in order not to overextend Baker, "I think Gardenhire goes into this game hoping to get five, maybe six innings at the most from Baker, who did pitch a solid five-plus innings last Tuesday in the first game of the doubleheader at Detroit. Gardy has a bit more depth and flexibility with his bullpen, especially with Francisco Liriano adding another portsider to the relievers mix." Marshall feels that Minnesota's bullpen depth can carry the Twins in the final innings, "Along with Ron Mahay, Jose Mijares, and (if need be) Brian Duensing, Gardy has plenty of situational lefties to use, while Jesse Crain, Jon Rauch, and the closer Joe Nathan give him a lot of options from the right side out of the pen, too."

Since 1969 and the expansion of the playoff format, this will be the eighth play-in game. You already know what happened with the Twins last season against the White Sox, but many people will remember the Rockies' epic 9-8 victory in 13 innings over the Padres back in 2007. Prior to that contest, the last four play-in games were decided by at least two runs (Mets shut out the Reds, 5-0 in 1999, Cubs downed the Giants, 5-3 in 1998, Mariners destroyed the Angels, 9-1 in 1995, and the Astros beat the Dodgers, 7-1 in 1980). The first play-in game involved the famous Bucky Dent home run over the Green Monster to carry the Yankees past the Red Sox, 5-4, while lifting the Bombers to another title.

Most books have the Twins listed as a $1.60 home favorite, with the total set at 8 ?.

 

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MLB Matchup Tigers vs Twins

MLB Matchup Tigers vs Twins

MLB Matchup


Tigers vs Twins

Game Time: 5:05 p.m. ET

Stadium: Metrodome Surface: Turf






Detroit
Date at Opp SC Time
/Sur Home
Open Home
Close Total
Open Total
Close Starter Dec O/U
9/25/09 At Cws 0-2 N/g -155 -165 9.0-120 9.0-115 Bonine,ed L U
9/26/09 At Cws 12-5 N/g -115 -120 9.0-115 9.5+100 Robertson,na W O
9/27/09 At Cws 4-8 D/g +135 +125 8.5-120 8.5-120 Jackson,ed L O
9/29/09 Min 6-5 N/g -165 -163 8.0-120 8.0-115 Verlander,ju W O
9/29/09 Min 2-3 D/g -130 -130 9.0-120 9.0-120 Porcello,ri L U
9/30/09 Min 7-2 N/g +110 +100 9.0-115 9.5+105 Bonine,ed W U
10/01/09 Min 3-8 D/g +105 +110 9.5+100 9.0-105 Robertson,na L O
10/02/09 Cws 0-8 N/g -135 -137 8.0-120 8.0-115 Jackson,ed L P
10/03/09 Cws 1-5 N/g -140 -140 9.5+100 9.5+100 Figaro,al L U
10/04/09 Cws 5-3 D/g -200 -200 7.5+100 7.5+100 Verlander,ju W O
Minnesota
Date at Opp SC Time
/Sur Home
Open Home
Close Total
Open Total
Close Starter Dec O/U
9/25/09 At Kc 9-4 N/g +100 -105 9.0-110 8.5-115 Pavano,ca W O
9/26/09 At Kc 11-6 N/g +155 +155 9.0-120 9.0-120 Baker,sc W O
9/27/09 At Kc 1-4 D/g -170 -180 8.0+100 8.0-110 Liriano,fr L U
9/29/09 At Det 5-6 N/g -165 -163 8.0-120 8.0-115 Duensing,br L O
9/29/09 At Det 3-2 D/g -130 -130 9.0-120 9.0-120 Blackburn,ni W U
9/30/09 At Det 2-7 N/g +110 +100 9.0-115 9.5+105 Pavano,ca L U
10/01/09 At Det 8-3 D/g +105 +110 9.5+100 9.0-105 Baker,sc W O
10/02/09 Kc 10-7 N/t -200 -200 9.5-110 9.5-110 Manship,je W O
10/03/09 Kc 5-4 D/t +120 +115 7.5-110 7.5-120 Blackburn,ni W O
10/04/09 Kc 13-4 D/t -220 -220 9.5-110 9.5-110 Pavano,ca W O



Head-To-Head

Head-To-Head
Date Opp SC Time
/Sur Home
Open Home
Close Total
Open Total
Close Winner Dec O/U
8/07/09 Min 10-8 N/g -125 -107 9.5-120 9.5-115 Galarraga,ar W O
8/08/09 Min 0-11 N/g -200 -185 8.5-120 8.5-110 Pavano,ca L O
8/09/09 Min 8-7 D/g -132 -123 8.5+110 8.5+110 Lyon,br W O
9/18/09 Det 3-0 N/t -125 -135 9.0-110 8.5-120 Duensing,br W U
9/19/09 Det 6-2 D/t +120 +110 8.5+100 8.0-110 Crain,je W P
9/20/09 Det 2-6 D/t -170 -180 9.0+100 8.5-110 Robertson,na L U
9/29/09 Min 6-5 N/g -165 -163 8.0-120 8.0-115 Verlander,ju W O
9/29/09 Min 2-3 D/g -130 -130 9.0-120 9.0-120 Rauch,jo L U
9/30/09 Min 7-2 N/g +110 +100 9.0-115 9.5+105 Bonine,ed W U
10/01/09 Min 3-8 D/g +105 +110 9.5+100 9.0-105 Baker,sc L O



W/L Record Comparison

Detroit
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 51-30 +935 35-46 -1077 86-76 -142
Last 10 3-4 -207 1-2 -125 4-6 -332
Minnesota
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 48-33 +369 38-43 -104 86-76 +265
Last 10 3-0 +315 4-3 +110 7-3 +425
RECORDS
Day Night Grass Turf Fav Dog
Detroit 33-25 53-51 80-66 6-10 58-38 24-34
Minnesota 26-33 60-43 35-39 51-37 48-37 31-35



Over/Under Comparison
(Based on taking the Over)

Detroit
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 38-40 -625 31-47 -2025 69-87 -2650
Last 10 3-3 -25 2-1 +85 5-4 +60
Minnesota
Home Units Away Units Total Units
2009 41-34 +305 32-45 -1775 73-79 -1470
Last 10 3-0 +300 4-3 +65 7-3 +365



Away Pitcher

DETROIT TIGERS -- PORCELLO,RICK (R)

GS W L IP H R ER BB SO ERA Day Ngt Grs Trf
W L W L W L W L
Away 15 6 6 81.1 91 43 38 20 39 4.20 3 3 3 3 6 3 0 3
Home 15 8 3 83.2 80 36 36 30 42 3.87 2 0 6 3 8 3 0 0
Total 30 14 9 165.0 171 79 74 50 81 4.04 5 3 9 6 14 6 0 3
2009 BULLPEN FOR PORCELLO,RICK
GMS IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
30 101.0 43 41 3.65 94 55 83 12 4 3 9 3
Last Five Starts
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
9/08/09 at KC 5-7 6.0 4 4 7 1 4 0 +165 +145 9.5+100 9.5-105
9/13/09 TOR 7-2 W 6.0 2 2 4 2 2 0 -160 -150 9.0+100 8.5-120
9/18/09 at MIN 0-3 L 6.0 3 3 8 1 1 1 -125 -135 9.0-110 8.5-120
9/23/09 at CLE 11-3 W 5.0 1 1 6 3 1 0 +110 +105 9.0+105 9.0+105
9/29/09 MIN 2-3 6.1 1 1 7 1 1 0 -130 -130 9.0-120 9.0-120
VS. Opponent ( Last 5 Starts - Since 1997)
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
5/05/09 MIN 9-0 W 7.0 0 0 4 3 3 0 -110 -107 9.5-110 10.0-120
7/05/09 at MIN 2-6 L 4.0 6 4 7 2 3 1 -138 -145 9.0+100 9.0-105
9/18/09 at MIN 0-3 L 6.0 3 3 8 1 1 1 -125 -135 9.0-110 8.5-120
9/29/09 MIN 2-3 6.1 1 1 7 1 1 0 -130 -130 9.0-120 9.0-120
Bullpen ( Last 5 Games )
Date Opp IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
9/30/09 MIN 4.0 0 0 0.00 2 3 3 0 0 0 0 0
10/01/09 MIN 3.0 4 4 12.00 4 3 4 0 0 0 0 0
10/02/09 CWS 4.0 0 0 0.00 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
10/03/09 CWS 7.2 3 3 3.52 6 7 4 0 0 0 0 0
10/04/09 CWS 1.1 0 0 0.00 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0



Home Pitcher

MINNESOTA TWINS -- BAKER,SCOTT (R)

GS W L IP H R ER BB SO ERA Day Ngt Grs Trf
W L W L W L W L
Away 16 9 4 95.0 93 45 44 31 75 4.17 3 2 6 2 9 2 0 2
Home 16 6 5 99.0 91 51 50 15 85 4.55 2 2 4 3 0 0 6 5
Total 32 15 9 194.0 184 96 94 46 160 4.36 5 4 10 5 9 2 6 7
2009 BULLPEN FOR BAKER,SCOTT
GMS IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
31 87.1 48 44 4.53 91 42 65 7 4 4 11 2
Last Five Starts
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
9/10/09 at TOR 2-3 L 6.2 3 3 5 4 7 1 +120 +137 8.5-120 9.0-110
9/15/09 CLE 5-4 5.1 3 3 5 2 5 0 -185 -220 9.0-120 9.0-105
9/20/09 DET 2-6 L 4.2 4 4 8 1 5 0 -170 -180 9.0+100 8.5-110
9/26/09 at KC 11-6 W 6.1 4 4 6 1 5 2 +155 +155 9.0-120 9.0-120
10/01/09 at DET 8-3 W 5.0 1 0 5 3 3 0 +105 +110 9.5+100 9.0-105
VS. Opponent ( Last 5 Starts - Since 1997)
Date Opp SC Dec IP R ER H BB SO HR H/Open H/Close Tot Op Tot Cl
9/06/08 DET 4-6 7.1 3 3 4 4 5 0 -125 -145 8.5-120 8.5-125
5/14/09 DET 6-5 6.0 5 5 7 1 4 0 +120 -110 8.5+105 8.0+100
8/09/09 at DET 7-8 4.1 6 6 9 0 3 2 -132 -123 8.5+110 8.5+110
9/20/09 DET 2-6 L 4.2 4 4 8 1 5 0 -170 -180 9.0+100 8.5-110
10/01/09 at DET 8-3 W 5.0 1 0 5 3 3 0 +105 +110 9.5+100 9.0-105
Bullpen ( Last 5 Games )
Date Opp IP R ER ERA H BB SO HR W L SV BS
9/30/09 at DET 3.1 0 0 0.00 2 3 3 0 0 0 0 0
10/01/09 at DET 4.0 2 0 0.00 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
10/02/09 KC 3.2 3 3 7.36 6 1 7 0 0 0 1 0
10/03/09 KC 2.0 2 2 9.00 3 0 2 1 1 0 1 1
10/04/09 KC 3.1 0 0 0.00 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 0

 

[Lumi]

DUNKEL INDEX 06 OCT 09

DUNKEL INDEX 06 OCT 09

Today's MLB Picks
Detroit at Minnesota
The Twins look to build on their 11-2 record in their last 13 games as a favorite.

Minnesota is the pick (-155) according to Dunkel, which has the Twins favored by 2 1/2.

Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-155).

Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6
Time Posted: 8:00 p.m. EST (10/4)
Game 931-932: Detroit at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Porcello) 14.485; Minnesota (Baker) 16.883
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 2 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-155); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-155); Under