AL Central Picks: June 10, 2013
The AL Central hasn’t always been the most exciting division to watch this season, but with three high-profile games from the Central on today’s slate, that could begin to change. Check out our picks for each of the three games in the AL Central today!
Cleveland Indians +1.5 at Texas Rangers -1.5
After a strong start to the season, the Cleveland Indians have entered a demoralizing skid, as they’ve lost seven straight games and 11 in a row on the road. Unfortunately for them, things won’t get any easier today, as they take on the Texas Rangers on the road.
However, the Indians might have a chance to put more runs up on the board against Texas’ starter Josh Lindblom, who was called up from the minors on Sunday and got shelled in his first Major League start against Oakland, as he gave up four earned runs and wasn’t able to get out of the fifth inning.
This looks like the perfect situation for Cleveland to put an end to their losing streak, so I’d take the Indians to cover +1.5 in a win today.
Toronto Blue Jays +1.5 at Chicago White Sox -1.5
R.A. Dickey is only one year removed from his Cy Young award-winning season, but what a difference a year makes. Dickey enters tonight’s ballgame against the Chicago White Sox with a 5-7 record and a 4.66 ERA. It’s taken him a while to get used to his new league, but if his last outing is a sign of things to come, then maybe he’s starting to turn things around.
Dickey is coming off his best performance of the year on Wednesday, when he pitched eight and a third innings of two-hit scoreless ball against the San Francisco Giants. Of course, he was facing an NL team that he is quite familiar with, so we’ll have to see if he can do it against the White Sox.
Though the Sox have won their last two games, they are still in a bit of a rut as losers of seven of their last 10. Dylan Axelrod gets the ball today for Chicago, which is pretty good news for Sox fans, considering he’s posted a respectable 3.73 ERA so far this year.
I think Dickey will get in a groove at some point this year, but until he puts together a string of solid outings, it’s still a little risky to put your wagers behind him or the Toronto Blue Jays. With the Sox at home, I like Chicago to cover -1.5 today in the win.
Detroit Tigers -1.5 at Kansas City Royals +1.5
The first-place Detroit Tigers have extended their AL Central edge with their current four-game winning streak, but not to be outdone, the Kansas City Royals have won five in a row to hang within striking distance.
Today’s pitching match-up should keep these teams and this game close as well. Detroit is sending Doug Fister – who is having another fine season with a 5-3 record and a 3.27 ERA – to the mound, while KC will give the ball to Jeremy Guthrie, who has posted a a 6-3 mark with a 3.66 ERA.
With home field and one of their best hurlers getting the start, I like the Royals to at least keep things close and cover +1.5 today against the mighty Tigers.
