By Greg Dempson
Pinnacle Odds: Boston Red Sox -109 vs Detroit Tigers -101 Total 8.5
Two solid pitchers meet in the second game of a four game series tonight at Comerica Park as Rick Porcello duels against Michael Fulmer. Porcello was traded from the Tigers to the Red Sox at the conclusion of the 2014 season.
He has been spectacular this season posting an ERA of 3.30, WHIP of 1.051 with a 16–3 record while Porcello/Team is 18–6 on the season. In his last three starts Porcello’s ERA is 2.35, WHIP of 0.696 through 23 innings while allowing 6 earned runs, (4 of which were homers,) walking 2 vs. 18 strikeouts.
Porcello has faced his former team once since the trade, at Fenway on July 24, 2015. He pitched 7 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits while walking no one and striking out 5. His ERA in that game was 1.29, WHIP of 0.714.
Fulmer has been very solid this season as well going 10–3 with Fulmer/Team at 16–3. His ERA is 2.25, WHIP of 1.017. When pitching at home Fulmer has an ERA of 1.41, WHIP of 0.844 with Fulmer/Team at 5–0 with the total at 1–3–1 to the UNDER.
Through 32 innings he’s allowed only 5 earned runs on 20 hits, (2 homers,) while walking 7 vs. 28 strikeouts. In his last three starts his ERA is a miniscule 1.190, WHIP of 0.706 through 22.7 innings allowing 3 earned runs on 14 hits, (1 home run,) while walking only 2 batters vs. 19 strikeouts.
Fulmer has one start vs. the Red Sox, (July 27 of this season at Fenway.) He pitched 7.7 innings allowing 3 earned runs on 7 hits, (two of which left the park,) while walking no one and striking out 3. The score at the end of the first 5 innings was 2–1 in favor of the Tigers.
In Review
· My last selection on the underdog Royals was a winner improving my Every Edge MLB record to 32–16–01.
The First Five Innings
· With each pitcher in fine form and the Red Sox bullpen being suspect of late, (their pen has blown 6 saves in their last 21 games,) I made a play in the first 5 innings.
· Two nights ago Sanchez carried a no hitter into the 7th inning before allowing his first hit. Detroit’s pen blew it in that game vs. the Royals, allowing 1 run in the 8th and 3 more in the 9th inning.
· Boston is 04–15 to the under in their last 19 road games.
· The Tigers are 13–27 to the under in the second half of the season this season with an average combined score of 7.9 RPG.
· The Red Sox are 04–14 to the under on the road in the second half of the season this season averaging 6.7. RPG.
· Detroit is 12–25 to the under in the second half of the season, (this season,) when they are playing a team whose hitters strike out 7 or more times per game.
· In the second half of the season, this season, Boston is 02–12 to the under when on the road vs. American League teams scoring 4.7 or less runs per game.