MLB Odds for Game 4 of ALCS: Texas Rangers vs Detroit Tigers
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
by Bodog Sportsbook
It’s almost getting cruel, unless you are a Rangers fan, how many injuries are striking the Detroit Tigers in this year’s American League Championship Series. Yet Detroit remains resilient, taking Game 3 in Motown 5-2 on Tuesday night with Game 4 a quick turnaround this afternoon again at Comerica Park. The Rangers opened as slight road favorites on Bodog Sportsbook’s MLB Odds for Game 4 of ALCS.
The Tigers may have lost outfielder Delmon Young for the rest of this series (again). You may remember Young was originally ruled out after Game 1, yet shockingly was re-added to the roster and played in Game 2 when Magglio Ordonez went out with a season-ending ankle injury. Well, that oblique injury clearly is still bothering Young as he was a scratch from Tuesday’s Game 3.
Young was originally batting third and playing left field, the same spot he had in Game 2. But just like Monday, Young's spot was tentative depending on how he felt before the game. Once he reported to Comerica Park and met with the team's medical staff, it was decided that Young couldn't go. Rookie Andy Dirks took Young's spot in left field, making his first start of this postseason. He hit ninth and was 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Meanwhile, Tigers DH Victor Martinez led off the bottom of the fourth with a home run off Texas right-hander Colby Lewis (one of three Tigers homers in the game), but he seemed hurt even before leaving the batter's box. In completing the swing that tied the game at 1, Martinez landed awkwardly on his twisted lower right leg. Martinez made his way around the bases very slowly and was visibly limping by the time he reached the Tigers' dugout. He didn’t leave the game, however, even though Fox-TV reported he had an oblique injury as well. So he could be iffy for today.
Detroit may need a great performance from Rick Porcello with all these hitters ailing. Porcello will be making his first start in eight days, since his assignment in Game 4 of the AL Division Series against the Yankees. But Porcello pitched two relief innings in Game 1 of this series, retiring all six batters he faced. He made one start vs. Texas during the season, allowing six hits and one run in six innings on June 7 in an 8-1 victory.
The Texas Rangers go with lefty Matt Harrison. He is just 1-4 with a 6.89 ERA in seven career appearances vs. Detroit. Back in June, Harrison allowed eight hits and four runs in four innings vs. Detroit but said he passed a stubborn kidney stone later that night. Harrison's other start against the Tigers this season was a 5-4 loss on Aug. 3, when he went six innings and gave up four runs on nine hits. His lone playoff outing so far was in the Game 4 clincher of the ALDS vs. Tampa Bay when he allowed two runs in five innings.
Tuesday's win guaranteed Detroit will get to start ace Justin Verlander in Game 5 of the ALCS.
Get the best MLB Odds for Game 4 of ALCS and Props at the Bodog Sportsbook!
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andy dirks - colby lewis - comerica park - delmon young - detroit tigers - justin verlander - magglio ordonez - matt harrison - rick porcello - victor martinez
