ALCS Game 3 Picks: Texas Rangers vs. Detroit Tigers

The Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers will continue their American League Championship Series Tuesday night inside Comerica Park

Texas Rangers at Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers need a big game out of 1B Miguel Cabrera

Texas has taken a 2-0 series lead over Detroit after coming away with a 7-3 extra-innings’ win Monday night at Rangers Ballpark. The star of the show was definitely outfielder Nelson Cruz, who hit the first walk-off grand slam in postseason history. “It’s great, I can’t describe how I feel,” commented Cruz after the game. The Rangers are playing with a tremendous amount of confidence, winning five consecutive games after dropping a division series opener against Tampa Bay on Sept. 30. The franchise is in a great spot, as 18 of 21 teams to go out ahead in a LCS series have gone on to win since 1985. Texas is 25-11 after three or more consecutive wins, while also going 46-37 on the road.

Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis makes his second postseason start, coming away with a 4-3 road win over the Tampa Bay in the ALDS on Oct. 3, giving up a single run and hit over six solid innings. The right-hander produced a 9-5 mark and 3.43 ERA in 17 road starts, issuing just 27 walks and registering 107 strikeouts in 107 2/3 innings. Lewis has made six career appearances (five starts) versus the Tigers, coming away with a 2-2 record and 7.48 ERA, allowing them to hit for a .328 average.

Detroit is certainly up against it and first baseman Miguel Cabrera will need to put the team on his shoulders in tonight’s contest. “Today, the ball was not carrying. But for Cruz, the ball was carrying,” Cabrera stated about Monday’s loss. He is 5 for 12 in his career against Lewis. The Tigers were 1-of-11 with runners in scoring position this series, and in a 2-for-29 stretch since Game 3 of the Division Series, when they finally broke out Monday. Outfielder Delmon Young (oblique), who was originally left off the roster for the ALCS, was brought back into the fold when Magglio Ordonez was lost for the year. He was hitless in four at-bats. Detroit is 67-48 versus right-handed starters and 51-33 in home games.

Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister is 1-1 with a 6.52 ERA in two postseason outings (one start), picking up a 3-2 road win over the New York Yankees on Oct. 6, giving up one run and five hits over five frames. The right-hander was magnificent since being acquired from Seattle, posting an 8-1 record and 1.79 ERA in 11 games (10 starts), including a 4-0 mark and 0.98 ERA in five starts at Comerica Park. In six regular season starts versus the Rangers, Fister is 2-3 with a 4.38 ERA.

Bettors will likely back the Tigers due to their 8-0 record in Fister’s last eight starts, while the Rangers are 7-16 in Lewis’ last 23 road starts versus a team with a winning record.