David Price (7-2, 2.62 ERA) gets the start for the Detroit Tigers (40-39) as they go up against R.A. Dickey (3-8, 4.85 ERA) and the Toronto Blue Jays (42-40) in the second of a three-game series at Comerica Park. The Tigers won the last game 8-6 and Detroit leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 1:08 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jul. 4 and will air on RSN and FSN-DET.
Price has a 2.47 ERA and a 15-2 record in his career against the Blue Jays, but faces a solid Toronto offense that’s hitting .266 on the year. Miguel Cabrera (.350, 43 Rs, 15 HRs, 54 RBIs, 1 SB) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 2 with one RBI. In his career against the Tigers, Dickey is 6-2 with a 3.78 ERA. He gets a strong Detroit offense that’s batting .277. Josh Donaldson (.298, 61 Rs, 19 HRs, 54 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run and two RBIs.
Detroit, a -149 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Toronto. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at eight runs. When playing as the favorite, the Tigers have a 24-20 record and overall money line at -319. Detroit has averaged 5.7 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 4.3. The Tigers are a superb hitting team with an AL-best 9.6 hits per game. Detroit’s pitching staff will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent struggles. The Tigers have given up an average of 5.8 runs to opponents in their last 10 games, above their season average of 4.5 runs per game.
On the other side, the Blue Jays have a record of 16-21 when they are the underdog and are -69 overall with the money line. They sport the top-ranked offense in the AL, averaging 5.4 runs per game. One of the top hitting teams in the AL are the Blue Jays, who average 9.0 hits per game. Opposing pitchers have routinely struggled to strike out the Toronto batters, who rank fifth in the AL with 7.2 strikeouts per game.
The only other game between the two teams went Detroit’s way. This game will feature Dickey (RHP) on the mound against the Tigers, who have a 28-31 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Blue Jays will be the left-hander Price. Southpaw starters haven’t been a big issue for them as they sport an 11-6 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – DET, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Toronto is 24-18, while Detroit is 18-16.
The Tigers managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Blue Jays who are coming in with a 14-5 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Tigers are 4-27. The Blue Jays have a 6-31 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 16th in home runs, Detroit has hit 69 this season. Toronto ranks second with 106 home runs.
Detroit ranks at the top of the league when it comes to hits with 9.58 per game this season. Toronto ranks in the top five at third with 9.01.
Ranking first in on-base plus slugging percentage, Toronto has an OPS of .780 this season. Detroit ranks third with an OPS of .756.
When the Blue Jays allow at least one home run, they are 26-28. When the Tigers allow one or more homers, they have a 16-29 record.
