It was a tough loss yesterday with Nolan Arenado walking the Rockies off with two outs in the ninth with the Giants just a strike away from getting us back into the win column. Those type of losses will happen on the bases and the important thing to remember is to keep a bad beat from making you force a bad play. The losing streak now sits at two so today’s play will be key to stop the bleeding. And to get a win we’re going to go out to Cleveland where the locals are still celebrating their third NBA Lottery victory in four years. But the Indians will also go for the sweep against what was the hottest team in baseball this afternoon. Zach McCallister battles Max Scherzer, who has been the Indians’ kryptonite in the American League Central. Scherzer is a hefty favorite at -150 with a total of just 7.5.
Free Pick
There should be concern about the Tigers in this one. They still may be experiencing ill effects of the travel debacle leaving Boston on Sunday night. And a noon matinee doesn’t help anything out for Detroit. Max Scherzer should be fine, but he’ll certainly hope that the team behind him will be up and ready to play before they get out of Cleveland and return home after a long road trip. 
But it’s Scherzer who gives Detroit a great chance to win. And he’s why I’m backing Detroit in this game to salvage one in this series. The reigning American League Cy Young award winner hasn’t lost to Cleveland in nearly two years and he’s back to his normal dominance this season with a sub-2 ERA and a WHIP of just 1.03. Cleveland’s offense still doesn’t have a whole lot of pop without Jason Kipnis and with Carlos Santana only there in spirit. The Indians knocked around Justin Verlander yesterday, which is a task of its own. Beating Scherzer the day after would truly be a tall task. And I’m not sure Cleveland is up for the challenge with the lineup it will run out there this afternoon. Detroit should win this ball game going away.
Instead of laying the heavy juice on the road, I’m going to take Detroit to win this one handily and lay a run at a better price.
Free Pick: Detroit -1 (-121)
2014 YTD: 17-8 +7.29
cleveland indians • detroit tigers