Detroit Tigers at Oakland Athletics Odds, Line, Total, Favorite and Predictions – Free MLB Picks 4/15/11

Free MLB Picks and Odds: Detroit Tigers @ Oakland Athletics Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Predictions 4/15/11: The Tigers have shown some grit and muster thus far, components that were missing last campaign, but they have yet to hit their stride. They are in the midst of a four game skid in Oakland this weekend hoping to climb up the AL Central ranks. Ricky Porcello will take the mound tonight, the sophomore has definitely slumped in his two games played already. He owns a 9.00 ERA and he is allowing batters to hit a staggering .383 on him. He is leaving balls over the plate and he is not controlling his breaking ball. The Tigers had high hopes for him this season, but there are some media feeds going around saying that they may dump him back into the minors for some redevelopment. Miguel Cabrera has put his scandalous spring-season campaign behind him and is absolutely owning pitchers thus far. He already has 4 homers to go with a .326 average and 10 RBI. He was responsible for a walk off single on Tuesday against the Rangers, he whistled a ball past the short-stop with the bases loaded in the ninth inning. He is on pace to break every batting record in Tigers history and some analysts believe he hasn’t even reached his top gear yet. The Detroit Tigers have rich aspirations this season and with the lineup they have and coaching to boot, the sky is the limit for this 2011 team.

The Oakland Athletics are 3rd in the AL west and are showing the league that they plan on being competitive in every game they enter. They have not lost a game by more than 4 runs so far and they own the American League’s second rank in team ERA. The teams pitching is highlighted by Brett Anderson, the Stillwater, Oklahoma product has been sensational through three games of action. Anderson surrendered nine hits and three runs(two earned) over 5 and 2-3 innings, leaving without registering a decision in the A’s 7-4 comeback victory over the Chicago White Sox in 10 innings on Wednesday. He was a question mark coming out of spring league but he has acclimated himself quite nicely into the Athletics rotation. Gio Gonzalez is not considered the highlight of the pitching staff because it has come to be expected of him to be remarkable. He owns the second best ERA in the entire league (A.Ogando 0ERA) and he has done it against three above average hitting clubs. The Athletics rely on special teams and situational play to overcome their competition, but it may finally be the pitching rotation that gives Oakland their best chance to win ballgames.

Tonight we will recommend a play on the Oakland Athletics at home. The Tigers are not getting any notable performance out of Rick Porcello thus far and it might be the fact that teams are keying in on his predictable game play. He follows a pretty basic routine in his pitches and he is having issues getting movement on his curve balls. The Athletics have the hitting power to hurt pitchers and having a vulnerable Porcello on the mound may be a field day for the Tigers bull pen. The Tigers shut out the Athletics last night but it will be difficult to duplicate on the road. Detroit has been an inconsistent road team for the past few seasons and I do not believe their road futility is past them just yet. We will consider the Oakland Athletics pulling even in this four game set on Friday night. Cheers!

Free Pick: Oakland Athletics -135(moneyline)
Get extra FREE MLB Picks daily from expert handicappers on NSAwins.com’s 2011 MLB Baseball Predictions page.