Texas Rangers (35-60) vs. Detroit Tigers (45-51)
July 22, 2021 1:10 pm EDT
The Line: Detroit Tigers -115 / Texas Rangers +105; Over/Under: -9.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Texas Rangers and the Detroit Tigers meet Thursday in MLB action from Comerica Park. This will be the final installment in a four-game series between these teams this week. The Tigers won the first two games, then in the Wednesday matchup Detroit kept it going with a two-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Texas couldn’t get anything going on Monday, falling in a 14-0 blowout. It was much the same Tuesday with a 4-1 defeat. In the Wednesday game, the Rangers had five hits in an eventual 4-2 loss. Starter Jordan Lyles put up 7.0 innings with six hits and four earned runs.
For the Thursday starting pitcher, the Rangers will send out Mike Foltynewicz. In his 102.0 innings this year Foltynewicz has 114 hits, 68 runs (67 earned), 28 homers allowed, 23 walks, 73 Ks and a 5.91 ERA.
Over on the Tigers’ side, they put up a whopping 19 hits in the Monday win, and nine more in game two. In the Wednesday matchup, Detroit had three runs in the first two innings on the way to the win. Matt Manning put up 6.0 innings with one earned and four hits.
For the starter job in the Thursday game, the Tigers are going with Tyler Alexander. In his 43.0 innings this year Alexander has 48 hits, 22 runs (21 earned), eight homers allowed, 10 walks, 37 Ks and a 4.40 ERA.
The Rangers are 15-36 in their last 51 versus a team with a losing record and 17-42 in their last 59 overall. Texas is 16-54 in their last 70 road games and 1-5 in their last six Thursday games.
Meanwhile, the Tigers are 59-120 in their last 179 with a total of 9.0-10.5 and 65-146 in their last 211 versus a right-handed starter. Detroit is 15-36 in their last 51 Thursday games and 13-38 in the last 51 in game four of a series.
PICK: I’m going to take a shot on the Tigers. Alexander has been pretty solid overall in his last six outings, giving up three earned in a total of 10.2 innings. As for Foltynewicz, he’s coming off 10 earned in just 1.2 innings on eight hits and four homers versus the Blue Jays. He’s given up 17 earned over his last three outings in 15.0 frames. Detroit should have some opportunities to put up runs here.
