The Detroit Tigers (29-21) and Pittsburgh Pirates (32-20) will meet up in a interleague matchup Wednesday night at PNC Park, with the opening tip scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET
Detroit Tigers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Detroit dropped just its second 1-0 contest since the start of last season Tuesday night, while going UNDER the betting total for the fourth time in five contests. “It was a great game,” commented Tigers manager Jim Leyland. “Certainly, they didn’t win it cheap.” The Tigers are definitely capable of bouncing back with third baseman Miguel Cabrera in the lineup, while cleanup hitter Prince Fielder is 6-for-6 with eight RBIs the last six times opponents have walked Cabrera in front of him. Detroit is 1-4 on the road with a money line of -100 to -125, with the UNDER going 3-2 in that situation.
Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (5-4, 2.38 ERA) has alternated wins and losses over his last four starts, as he comes off a 6-0 home victory over the Minnesota Twins last time out, allowing one hit over nine shutout innings. The right-hander is 1-3 with a 3.29 ERA in five road starts, with opponents hitting .306 against him. In five career games versus the Pirates, Sanchez has compiled a 2-3 record and 2.50 ERA, including a 1-2 mark and 2.35 ERA in three outings at this ballpark.
Pittsburgh has won seven of its last 10 games, with the UNDER cashing in seven of those affairs. The Pirates are a season-high tying 12 games over .500, as they come off their eighth shutout victory over the season. The club is 18-9 overall at home this season, including wins in eight of its last 10 games along the banks of the Allegheny River. Pittsburgh is 16-7 against AL clubs when playing at home since 2011, while going 8-0-1 in its last eight series versus the Junior Circuit at this venue.
Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett (3-5, 2.57 ERA) has watched the club drop his last four efforts, including a 2-1 setback on the road to the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing two runs and three hits over seven strong innings. The right-hander is 2-3 with a 2.51 ERA in seven home efforts, with opposing hitters batting just .193 against him. In 10 career appearances versus the Tigers, Burnett has compiled a 6-2 record and 5.27 ERA.
Sports bettors will likely back the Pirates due to their 10-2 record in their last 12 interleague home games versus a right-handed starter.
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