If you bet on MLB odds, you have been surprised all season by Cleveland, who stormed to the top of the American League Central with a blazing start, but they have fallen back to earth, losing nine of their last 10 ahead of Monday’s series finale in New York. It won’t get any easier as they head to Detroit to take on the Tigers, who were tied with the Indians at the top of the division as of Monday.Indians vs. Tigers Betting – Tuesday, 7:05 PM ET
Justin Masterson (5-4, 3.18) has lost four of his last eight starts and hasn’t won since April 26th after a 3-2 extra-inning loss at home to Minnesota, allowing a pair of runs on nine hits over eight innings, striking out three without any walks. This was an improvement over his previous two starts in which he gave up 10 runs in 11.1 innings, and even those who check out the NHL standings will tell you that the cream usually rises to the top at some point, which is why the Indians are slowing down. The 26-year-old righty is 0-2 in seven games (four starts) against the Tigers with a 5.20 ERA, and he is 0-1 in two appearances at Comerica Park with a 6.75 ERA.
Justin Verlander (7-3, 2.89) has won three starts in a row after a 4-1 victory at home against Seattle, scattering a run on five hits over eight innings, striking out 10 with a single walk. Verlander is now 6-1 in his last 10 starts and has allowed more than three runs only once in a start, and the Detroit ace is looking like he’s in midseason form. The Tigers will need him to be, because their starting rotation leaves a lot to be desired. The 28-year-old flamethrower is 10-11 in 24 starts against the Indians with an ERA of 5.11, and he is 4-2 in eight starts at home with a 2.97 ERA.
The Tigers should be the MLB betting favorites in your sports bookie software, and they’ve dominated the Indians in Cleveland, winning nine of the last 10 meetings between the two at Comerica Park, with seven of those games falling under the posted total. The Indians are in a freefall right now, and the Tigers look to pounce. Having Verlander start off the series is a stroke of luck when it comes to the rotation, as the Tigers would like to put their best foot forward and put even more doubt in the heads of the Indians. Masterson is a microcosm of Cleveland’s team: he isn’t awful, but he definitely isn’t as good as their start had people thinking. Go with Detroit in your online sportsbook.
