MLB Picks: Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles

The Detroit Tigers (29-23) and Baltimore Orioles (30-24) will open up a three-game American League series Friday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET

Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles

The Detroit Tigers are 2-10 on the road with a money line of +125 to -125

Detroit has dropped three games in a row, including a 1-0 setback to the Pittsburgh Pirates as -123 road favorites Thursday, while going UNDER the betting total of 8. “We played a heck of a ballgame,” stated Tigers manager Jim Leyland. “They pitched us well for four games.” Offensively, the team continues to be led by third baseman Miguel Cabrera, who has hit 11 home runs and driven in 31 runners this month. Detroit is 2-10 on the road with a money line between +125 and -125, with no edge in the total (6-6 Over/Under).

Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (7-0, 3.42 ERA) has led the club to back-to-back victories, including a 6-1 home win over the Minnesota Twins last time out, as he allowed one run and three hits over six frames. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA in four road outings, issuing just five walks and striking out 38 batters in 30 combined innings. In four lifetime appearances versus the Orioles, Scherzer has compiled a 2-1 record and 4.68 ERA, with opposing hitters batting .321 against him.

Baltimore will put its two-game winning streak on the line, as it comes off a 2-0 victory over the Washington Nationals as -134 home favorites, while going UNDER the betting total for the first time in eight contests. “It was fun to watch,” commented Orioles manager Buck Showalter. The club has one of the more exciting players in baseball, with young third baseman Manny Machado, who is 17 for 40 in his last nine games. Baltimore is 3-5 as home underdogs of +100 to +125 this season, with the OVER going 4-2-2 in that situation.

Orioles starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez (2-2, 3.94 ERA) hasn’t received a decision in his last two efforts, including a 6-5 road loss to the Toronto Blue Jays last time out, as he allowed one run and four hits over 5.2 frames. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 4.34 ERA in three home outings, issuing five walks and striking out 10 batters in 18.2 combined innings. Gonzalez suffered a 4-0 home loss to the Tigers in his only career start against them on July 15 of last season.