Tigers-A's Under 8½
Game Time: 10/10/2006 8:00:00 PM
By: L.T. Profit Sports Group
With two quality starters backed by outstanding bullpens, look for Game 1 of the ALCS to be a low-scoring affair when the Tigers meet the A's in Oakland.
Barry Zito is the ace of the Oakland staff while we feel that Nate Robertson is a much better pitcher than he showed in the opening game of the ALDS, so we expect runs to be at a premium in this contest.
Zito has won 17 games this season, including the playoffs, while posting a nice 3.73 ERA over 229 innings. And he pitched perhaps the game of his life in besting Johan Santana in the opening game of the ALDS. Including that brilliant outing, Zito has now allowed a grand total of five runs over his last three starts, covering 21.2 innings. He also pitched extremely well in his only start vs. Detroit this season, although that start did come way back in April, as he allowed one run and just three hits in seven innings.
Now do not underestimate Robertson here either, despite the Yankees knocking him around last week. Roberston won 13 games during the regular season and he still has a nifty 3.90 ERA on the road in 2006, including that Yankee debacle. He also defeated the Athletics the last time he faced them while allowing just five hits in seven innings back on July 23.
Finally both of these clubs have outstanding bullpens which should keep late tack-on runs to a minimum.
Play: Tigers-Athletics Under 8½ (-120)
Game Time: 10/10/2006 8:00:00 PM
By: L.T. Profit Sports Group
With two quality starters backed by outstanding bullpens, look for Game 1 of the ALCS to be a low-scoring affair when the Tigers meet the A's in Oakland.
Barry Zito is the ace of the Oakland staff while we feel that Nate Robertson is a much better pitcher than he showed in the opening game of the ALDS, so we expect runs to be at a premium in this contest.
Zito has won 17 games this season, including the playoffs, while posting a nice 3.73 ERA over 229 innings. And he pitched perhaps the game of his life in besting Johan Santana in the opening game of the ALDS. Including that brilliant outing, Zito has now allowed a grand total of five runs over his last three starts, covering 21.2 innings. He also pitched extremely well in his only start vs. Detroit this season, although that start did come way back in April, as he allowed one run and just three hits in seven innings.
Now do not underestimate Robertson here either, despite the Yankees knocking him around last week. Roberston won 13 games during the regular season and he still has a nifty 3.90 ERA on the road in 2006, including that Yankee debacle. He also defeated the Athletics the last time he faced them while allowing just five hits in seven innings back on July 23.
Finally both of these clubs have outstanding bullpens which should keep late tack-on runs to a minimum.
Play: Tigers-Athletics Under 8½ (-120)
