Kyle Lobstein (3-3, 4.33 ERA) and the Detroit Tigers (23-15) meet Mike Fiers (1-4, 5.00 ERA) and the Milwaukee Brewers (13-25) in the first of a three-game interleague series at Comerica Park. The game gets underway at 7:08 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 18 and will air on FSN-WI and FSN-DET.
In his last start, Lobstein pitched 2.1 innings, giving up six runs, striking out one and walking one in a 6-2 loss to the Twins. Miguel Cabrera (.333, 23 Rs, 10 HRs, 30 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one RBI. The Brewers were unsuccessful to the White Sox 4-2 the last time Fiers pitched. He went 6.1 innings, allowing two runs, striking out seven and walking one. Ryan Braun (.252, 22 Rs, 8 HRs, 23 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Detroit, a -130 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Milwaukee. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at eight runs. The Tigers have a winning record of 15-9 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of +728. They have an SU record of 4-1 against the NL. The Tigers have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire AL, averaging 4.6 runs per game. The Tigers are a superb hitting team with 9.7 hits per game, one of the highest marks in the AL. The Tigers are a nightmare for opponents on the bases with 32 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. Whenever an National League opponent shows up on the calendar, the Tigers pitch better. They allow an average of 4.0 runs per game, but allow just 2.4 against teams from the NL. The Tigers are second in the AL in walks allowed with just 2.5 per game.
Switching gears, the Brewers come into this game with a weak win percentage of .375 when playing as the underdog (9-15) and an overall money line of -1,139. Against AL opponents, they are 1-2 SU and have a poor 0-1 record when they were an underdog to win. During the last 10 games, they averaged 4.8 runs per game, above their 3.7 season average.
The Tigers will take on a right-hander (Fiers) in this game and have a 16-11 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Lobstein will take the mound against the Brewers. Against lefty starters this season, they have a terrible 2-6 record overall and 0-3 on the road.
Predictions: SU Winner – DET, O/U – Over
Notes
The Tigers are 2-1 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Brewers are 1-1 in such matchups.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Brewers are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Tigers have a 13-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Brewers are 9-2. The Tigers have a 20-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 25th in runs, Milwaukee has earned 142 this season. Detroit ranks ninth with 170 runs.
Ranking 26th, Milwaukee is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 87 this season. Detroit ranks in the top five at fourth with 132.
The Tigers are 16-5 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Brewers are 12-9 when they hit at least one homer.
