AL Central: Tough week for Tigers and their fans

Baseball Betting Lines

05/07/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For the Detroit Tigers, Thursday's off day could not have come at a better time.

For starters, the team had just wrapped up a stretch of 20 straight games -- through five cities -- with no rest. That journey came to a halt Wednesday at Minnesota's new Target Field, where the Twins put the final touches on a three-game sweep of the Tigers.

On Tuesday, catcher Gerald Laird drilled a foul ball off his shin. Laird was already scheduled to be rested for Wednesday's afternoon game, and with an extra day to heal up, he is expected to be back in the lineup on Friday when Detroit (16-13) begins a weekend series with Cleveland.

Also on the injury front, outfielder Johnny Damon left in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game with a right calf spasm. Thanks to Thursday's break in the action, he is also expected to be available for Friday's series opener.

While Thursday's idle date afforded some much needed rest for the players, it also allowed the city of Detroit to mourn the passing of Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell, who died Tuesday after an eight-month battle with bile duct cancer. Harwell, who spent 42 of his 92 years on this Earth as the Tigers' broadcaster, was posthumously awarded the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award in sports broadcasting Wednesday night. On Thursday, Tigers fans packed Comerica Park to bid farewell to their beloved broadcaster.

It was Harwell's genuine enthusiasm for the game and deep-rooted connection with Tigers fans that endeared himself to the city of Detroit. Though he stopped broadcasting about eight years ago, his bubbly personality remained a fixture at Comerica Park and throughout the Motor City, and he would embrace his impending death with tremendous grace and strength, even planning the details of his own public viewing with team officials.

"I've got a great attitude. I just look forward to a new adventure," Harwell told the Detroit Free Press when he disclosed his illness. "God gives us so many adventures, and I've had some great ones. It's been a terrific life."

As for the Tigers, they can take a lesson from Ernie and put the Minnesota series behind them, and look forward to tomorrow.

TRIBE BANKING ON WESTBROOK, HAFNER TO RETURN TO FORM

While the Cleveland Indians (10-17) have gotten significantly younger over the last few seasons, two of their key veterans remain in Travis Hafner and Jake Westbrook. However, it has been quite a while since either of those players have been productive on a consistent basis. Compounding the frustration is the fact that Hafner and Westbrook are the Tribe's two highest paid players.

Hafner, who turns 33 in less than a month, signed the largest contract in team history during the 2007 All-Star break: four years and $57 million. He is making a team-high $11.5 million this season and his salary jumps to $13 million in 2011 and 2012. Since signing that contract Hafner has missed a combined 173 games in 2008 and 2009, totaling just 21 home runs while batting .245 during those two seasons. He is hitting just .213 so far this season, though Wednesday's mammoth shot into the right-center field seats provided a glimmer of hope.

"I had a good spring and was hoping to get off to a good start," said Hafner, whose past shoulder injuries have led to some bad habits at the plate. "That hasn't happened. But you can't really worry about it. You've got to continue to work hard every day. I hope to get going soon and be a big part of the offense."

As for the 32-year-old Westbrook, he is in the final year of a three-year, $33 million contract. Since posting back-to-back 15-win seasons in 2005 and 2006, Westbrook has tallied just seven wins for the Tribe. He is now trying to resurrect his career after Tommy John surgery cost him most of 2008 and all of the 2009 season. But so far, the results have been anything but promising, as Westbrook is off to an 0-2 start with a 5.74 ERA. In 34 2/3 innings, he has issued 17 walks and thrown four wild pitches, as he's struggled to regain his feel.

Pitching coach Tim Belcher spoke with Dr. Lewis Yocum, who performed the ligament replacement surgery in June 2008.

"(Yocum) said most of his patients with that Tommy John don't really get their command back until the second year," Belcher said on the team's website. "Hopefully it comes a little bit quicker for him."

TWINS STAYING HOT WITHOUT MAUER

The Minnesota Twins (19-10) enjoy a three-game lead in the AL Central standings as they resume their homestand Friday against Baltimore. They were able to build that cushion thanks to a three-game sweep over the second-place Tigers earlier this week.

And they've managed to do so without reigning AL MVP Joe Mauer in the lineup for the last six games. Mauer suffered a deep soft tissue bruise in his left heel last Friday. He took some batting practice on Thursday but is still not able to run. A timetable has not been set for his return.

"He feels good swinging, but he's not ready to run yet," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He's feeling better every day. We are going to let Joe tell me when he is ready to play. I just want to make sure we get through this thing without re-injuring it."

Meanwhile, the Twins twice left the bases loaded in Thursday's series-opening 2-0 loss to the Orioles, snapping Minnesota's three-game win streak. It also snapped a six-game streak in which the Twins scored at least two runs in the first inning. Still, they'll look to build on their division lead as Francisco Liriano (4-0, 1.50) takes the hill Friday to try and improve upon his impressive start.

SOX WAITING FOR THE REAL MARK BUEHRLE TO SHOW UP

For White Sox (12-17) ace Mark Buehrle, none of his last four starts have remotely resembled the same man who has four All-Star nods, a no-hitter and a perfect game on his resume. Buehrle has allowed at least four runs in each of his last four outings, posting an 0-4 record, a 7.25 ERA and a .345 opponents batting average over that period.

What's most puzzling to Buehrle is that he feels great after an offseason conditioning program aimed at strengthening his throwing shoulder.

"That's why I'm surprised at the numbers I have," he said. "The way I feel like I've thrown and the way I feel when I'm throwing, I feel way too good for having the numbers I have. Obviously everybody's kind of joking around saying, 'You should have sat on your butt and not done anything this offseason,' but I feel as strong right now as I have in a while."

Having made eight Opening Day starts for Chicago, logic suggests he'll get it going sooner or later. The team hopes the resurrection begins Friday when he takes the hill against the Toronto Blue Jays. Of course, Buehrle's struggles have magnified a starting rotation which ranks fourth-worst in the AL with a combined 5.02 ERA. Jake Peavy (1-2, 6.31), Gavin Floyd (1-3, 6.89) and Freddy Garcia (1-2, 5.28) seem to have followed Buehrle's lead.

ROYALS ISSUING TOO MANY FREE PASSES

Royals pitching coach Bob McClure had seen enough.

With his staff leading the majors with 126 walks, he called a pitcher's meeting prior to the team's series opener with the Texas Rangers on Thursday. The message was clear: "get ahead of the hitters, have confidence in your stuff, and be aggressive in the strike zone."

McClure believes throwing strikes can be contagious. Only now, it's up to the Royals (11-18) hurlers to execute. But that's easier said than done for a staff that led the AL with 600 free passes last year.

"I'd rather watch them bang balls off the bullpen fence than keep giving up walks," manager Trey Hillman told the Kansas City Star on Wednesday. "I can watch losing baseball, but not bad baseball."

The one player who has no problem attacking the strike zone, reigning AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke, takes the mound Friday against Texas. Remarkably, Greinke has yet to notch a win after six starts. His 2.27 ERA is the lowest of any qualifying starter in baseball without a victory. If Greinke is to break that mold, he could certainly use more than the 2.6 runs of support he has gotten from his offense thus far.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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