[stevenash]

The Kansas City Royals will try to give their postseason chances a big boost this week, with the American League Central leaders set to open a three-game series with the second-place Detroit Tigers on Monday afternoon.

The Royals are in position right now to end a near 30-year playoff drought, having not gone to the postseason since winning the World Series in 1985. They are currently two games up on the Tigers and five ahead of third-place Cleveland.

Kansas City, though, has lost nine of 13 against the Tigers on the year, splitting six meetings in Detroit.

The Royals have won five of their last six overall, taking two of three from the New York Yankees over the weekend. They won the finale 2-0 on Sunday, with Yordano Ventura and three relievers combining on a four-hit shutout.

"We're playing great baseball," said Royals manager Ned Yost. "We're pitching, we're playing defense and we're scoring runs to win ballgames. That's all that matters."

Getting the start for the Royals is right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, who did not record a decision last time out despite holding the Texas Rangers to one run over seven innings. The good news was that the Royals were at least able to win a 2-1 decision.
Guthrie, meanwhile, remained 10-10 on the year with a 4.31 earned run average.

The 35-year-old was hammered for eight runs over four innings when he last faced Detroit on July 10 at home, falling to 8-6 with a 4.41 ERA against the Tigers lifetime.

Detroit kept pace with Kansas City on Sunday by recording a 6-1 win over the San Francisco Giants, avoiding a three-game sweep thanks to Kyle Lobstein's first career win and three RBI by Miguel Cabrera.

Cabrera homered and became the fifth player in MLB history to record 11 straight seasons of 100 RBI. He joined Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Alex Rodriguez and Al Simmons

"Every win is crucial," said Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter. "We need it."

Justin Verlander looks to rebound today for Detroit after being denied a third straight winning start and the 150th victory of his career on Wednesday at Cleveland.

Verlander was touched for six earned runs over 6 2/3 innings, striking out seven in a loss while falling to 12-12 with a 4.80 ERA on the season.

The right-hander will face the Royals for the fifth time in 2014, going 1-2 with a 5.68 ERA in the four previous meetings.

[stevenash]

Line is Verlander -130
Guthrie +120

Guthrie is KC's weakest link in the rotation, but Verlander has shown nothing all season, only thing he's shown is he's over the hill.

Guthrie would have to be the play at +120 or pass.

Total is too sharp to bet at 8.5

[mcdonae101]

i lean the over

[stevenash]

^
Lean, yeah, me too, but 8.5 is razor sharp here.
The hook has me bothered, KC bleeds you to death, even though they have legit power hitters in the order (Gordon, Hosmer, Butler) they don't hit homers. A 6-2 final is a loser.
They (KC) small ball you to death.
Not only that, KC has the best defense in the majors, and the best defensive outfield in the majors, fly balls (if not out of the park) are guaranteeed outs.

[t-wizzle]

I don't see how anyone can back Verlander right now. Even when he gets through an outing, it's a major struggle. Having said that, I lean Under here.

[stevenash]

I don't see how anyone can back Verlander right now. Even when he gets through an outing, it's a major struggle. Having said that, I lean Under here.

Total is tough Wizz, been going back and forth.

4pm start fellas.

[t-wizzle]

Rolling with the Under for a small bet.

[stevenash]

Rolling with the Under for a small bet.

I did too, just 1.5 units.

[mcdonae101]

got a juiced 8 on the over at close for a little. wasn't gonna play 8.5

[Joe Dogs]

Wheels just came off for KC

[TwoWays]

Edit: never mind, commentator just amended it

[tatddy]

I should have made a video of this but I was in a rush. I literally pulled off of the freeway to make these bets. Had a slight lean on the Tigers but it was a no play. All I had to see was Paul Emmel was behind the plate and it was go time.

Internet	Team Total Ticket # 287770125-1	9/8/14 4:05 PM	MLB /Baseball	[#966] DET TIGERS Ov 4 -120 (J. GUTHRIE -R) Must Pitch (J. VERLANDER -R) Must Pitch	240/200

Internet	Money Line Ticket # 287770105-1	9/8/14 4:05 PM	MLB /Baseball	[#966] DET TIGERS -133 (J. GUTHRIE -R) Must Pitch (J. VERLANDER -R) Must Pitch [ vs KAN ROYALS]	266/200

[No coincidences]

I should have made a video of this but I was in a rush. I literally pulled off of the freeway to make these bets. Had a slight lean on the Tigers but it was a no play. All I had to see was Paul Emmel was behind the plate and it was go time.

Internet	Team Total Ticket # 287770125-1	9/8/14 4:05 PM	MLB /Baseball	[#966] DET TIGERS Ov 4 -120 (J. GUTHRIE -R) Must Pitch (J. VERLANDER -R) Must Pitch	240/200

Internet	Money Line Ticket # 287770105-1	9/8/14 4:05 PM	MLB /Baseball	[#966] DET TIGERS -133 (J. GUTHRIE -R) Must Pitch (J. VERLANDER -R) Must Pitch [ vs KAN ROYALS]	266/200

Atta boy, tat....

I'm on Detroit as well, but it won't make up for the Tribe disaster from earlier.

Fvcking Fighting Deemers.

[tatddy]

Coiner tracking Emmel has been making me money for years. It's not a sure science but in the right spot it's all you need to lock in a bet. I know Biffinancial or whatever his name is has been working the Emmel angle for a few years as well.

http://www.sportsbookreview.com/foru...3-5-110-a.html

http://www.sportsbookreview.com/foru...cle-8-5-a.html

[jailbait7127]

Coiner tracking Emmel has been making me money for years. It's not a sure science but in the right spot it's all you need to lock in a bet. I know Biffinancial or whatever his name is has been working the Emmel angle for a few years as well.

http://www.sportsbookreview.com/foru...3-5-110-a.html

http://www.sportsbookreview.com/foru...cle-8-5-a.html

can u start posting picks PLEASE? lol t-bone has disappeared

[stevenash]

I should have made a video of this but I was in a rush. I literally pulled off of the freeway to make these bets. Had a slight lean on the Tigers but it was a no play. All I had to see was Paul Emmel was behind the plate and it was go time.

Internet	Team Total Ticket # 287770125-1	9/8/14 4:05 PM	MLB /Baseball	[#966] DET TIGERS Ov 4 -120 (J. GUTHRIE -R) Must Pitch (J. VERLANDER -R) Must Pitch	240/200

Internet	Money Line Ticket # 287770105-1	9/8/14 4:05 PM	MLB /Baseball	[#966] DET TIGERS -133 (J. GUTHRIE -R) Must Pitch (J. VERLANDER -R) Must Pitch [ vs KAN ROYALS]	266/200

Good catch, I totally missed that.
Good on you Tat

[tatddy]

Good catch, I totally missed that.
Good on you Tat

Tough to try and work in ump data for a new series. Always last minute. Good luck on the rest of your plays pal.

[t-wizzle]

Nice call Tigers backers. Under was toast very early for me.

[stevenash]

^
Not so fast, KC needs a prayer here, but they got two on, and we all know what Joba can do.

[stevenash]

Man, Perez got squeezed.
Hosmer too.

[tatddy]

Ill feel ok if I take a shyte beat here if it means you win Nash. Won't lose too much since I have TT over.

[stevenash]

Ill feel ok if I take a shyte beat here if it means you win Nash. Won't lose too much since I have TT over.

I just have the total small, but I have a lot of Royal futures money tied up.

Over 82 large, and they are sitting on 79 now, and Royals at +450 to win AL Central, I got action on every KC game from here on out.

[stevenash]

Ill feel ok if I take a shyte beat here if it means you win Nash. Won't lose too much since I have TT over.

I just have the total small, but I have a lot of Royal futures money tied up.

Over 82 large, and they are sitting on 79 now, and Royals at +450 to win AL Central, I got action on every KC game from here on out.

[CarterTown]

Vargas beats Sherzer tomorrow? I like.it!

[stevenash]

^
You know, I was just looking at KC's BvP vs. Max, Royals have hit him a little in the past
http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/batvsp...6/max-scherzer

OK, I'll bite
KC small +160 1.5* 150gets 240 WTF, why not?

[t-wizzle]

Does KC have the balls to hang in this thing? We'll find out soon enough.

[stevenash]

Does KC have the balls to hang in this thing? We'll find out soon enough.

They worked Max well in the first, stupid judgement on Aoki's part to steal with a three ball count, next pitch was ball four, would have been two on, one out, never the less, you can tell KC's game plan is to work Max in the count, get to Tiger buillpen.

If it comes down to bullpen v. bullpen, KC wins this, can't let Tigers get off to an early lead.
If Vargas can keep this within one, I love KC's chances.

This should be a good one.

[t-wizzle]

Everyone says pitching wins but does it?

I think if we really look at the teams that have won, they've done it with their bats and a great bullpen. This is going back at least 6 or 7 years now.

[tatddy]

Wow Nash don't even know what to say. 1st and 2nd no outs and a 3-2 count to your number 3 hitter and can't score.

Guy getting picked off 2nd base with 1 out just beyond bad. This team doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs.

[jay89]

little late to the party here but I went on over 4.5 for the royals against verlander, although it cashed when the "bullpen" gave up to cover the total. now he's had 5 starts vs KC where he's allowed at least 3 runs, and with that bullpen, getting the extra isn't as far fetched. he may face KC once again next weekend, keep this on the radar then

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7590/gamelog/