Detroit and Boston are both teams who have underperformed expectations this year, but both of them are still in the playoff hunt. The Red Sox lineup is finally getting healthy, and the Tigers are starting to get some better performances from the starting rotation. <\/p>\n
Detroit Tigers vs. Boston Red Sox MLB Betting Preview Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at this series finale of two teams fighting hard to move up in the standings.<\/p>\n Detroit briefly took the lead in the AL Central last week, but they have gone into a bit of a slump over the last week. The Tigers trail the White Sox 1.5 games right now. There is clearly still time to get in the playoffs, but this team needs to become more consistent. Rick Porcello is one of the starting pitchers who the Tigers really need to push them toward the playoffs. Porcello is 7-6 with a 4.56 ERA in 2012, and he has been wildly inconsistent. Offensively, Austin Jackson has been an amazing spark for Detroit at the top of the lineup.[dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Jackson has a .403 on-base percentage, which has really set the table for guys like Cabrera and Fielder. Cabrera and Fielder have both been producing at a high level all year. The trade for Omar Infante gave this lineup a little more depth, which should be very helpful.<\/p>\n Boston has managed to pile up the runs this season, but it has to feel great for them to get some of their stars back in the lineup. Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, and Carl Crawford are all back and contributing. All three look a little rusty right now, but getting these guys back does a lot for this team\u2019s chances moving forward. David Ortiz has missed the last couple weeks, but he is listed as questionable to return for this game. The Red Sox are averaging 4.91 runs per game this year. Starting pitching has been the Red Sox problem this year. Jon Lester and Josh Beckett aren\u2019t pitching like expected, and injuries have made this team turn to Aaron Cook. Cook was great through his first few starts, but he was lit up by the Yankees in his last start. This will be another big test for him.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not a big fan of playing the over when a number is this high, but these teams can pile up the runs. Both pitchers have a history of giving up runs in bunches. Look for a high scoring game.<\/p>\n
\nStarting Pitchers: Detroit (Porcello) vs. Boston (Cook)
\nDate\/Time: August 1, 7:10 p.m. EST
\nMLB Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
\nMoneyline: Detroit (-110) Boston (-110)
\nRunline: Off
\nTotal: 10.5<\/strong><\/p>\n