Arizona is Slight MLB Betting Favorite Against Detroit on Tuesday Night

It’s the opener of an interleague series on Tuesday when Detroit makes a rare visit to Arizona. Because it’s a game in an interleague park, the Tigers will lose their DH. They also might have a new closer should they have a lead in the ninth inning Tuesday. Arizona likely will be a slight MLB betting favorite. The Diamondbacks are coming off a weekend series against the Colorado Rockies in a losing effort of 1-2. For the Tigers, they also come from a 1-2 series lost this weekend against the Oakland Athletics. So, this could be a breath of fresh air for both teams. Let’s see who’s the favorite to win.

Detroit at Arizona MLB Betting Prediction & Pick

#Tigers drop series finale to Athletics.

RECAP ➡️ https://t.co/YbOBXVpScU pic.twitter.com/qkhWalXnDI — Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 7, 2017

When: Tuesday, May 9, 9:40 PM ET Where: Chase Field, Phoenix Probable pitchers (away/home): Justin Verlander/Robbie Ray TV: MLB Extra Innings Stream: MLB.tv Radio: Detroit / Arizona  Opening MLB Lines: Arizona Diamondbacks -126

Why Bet On Detroit?

The Tigers (15-15) come in on a two-game losing streak after dropping their final two of a three-game series in Oakland. Closer Francisco Rodriguez blew a save in both so his time as the closer could be over. The Tigers entered the ninth with one-run leads on both Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, Rodriguez gave up a walk, RBI double and then a walk-off, two-run home run to Ryon Healy in a swift, 12-pitch ninth inning. Rodriguez’s struggles contrast with the rest of the bullpen, which hasn’t allowed a run in the last seven games. “He’s not closing out games, which is something he’s done for a decade. I think it’s pretty obvious that it’s not the same Frankie,” Ausmus said. ” think he’s searching for command more than anything — command and finish to his pitches.” Rodriguez, who has now blown four saves in 2017, said this is the roughest stretch of his career. Ausmus wouldn’t commit to leaving Rodriguez in that role. His fastball rarely hits 90 mph. His premier pitch, his change-up, has been getting hit hard or has been missing. “Totally embarrassing,” the reliever known as K-Rod said after Sunday’s blown save. His ERA is now 8.49. “I can’t remember going through such a bad moment in my career. I apologize to my team and to my fans. I wanted to get some redemption (for Saturday). Right now, I’m not throwing quality pitches. I’m not fooling anyone.” Justin Wilson is the best reliever in the bullpen, but is probably more valuable being used in the highest leverage situations, whether that's in the ninth inning or not. He probably would get the first shot at closing if a change is made. Second baseman Ian Kinsler is hoping to return to the Tigers’ lineup Tuesday. Kinsler’s left hamstring kept him out throughout the weekend series in Oakland, but the Tigers hope he’ll be ready to go following Monday’s off day. Andrew Romine has been filling in at second base and in the leadoff spot. It’s former Cy Young winner Justin Verlander (2-2, 4.21) on the mound. Verlander (2-2) allowed two runs on four hits and four walks across seven innings during Tuesday’s win over the Indians. He struck out five. Verlander loaded the bases and yielded a run on a wild pitch in the first, but he settled down and cruised through six more frames, allowing one more run in the sixth. He threw 118 pitches and induced 14 flyouts, which is a bit extreme, but he was able to keep them all in the yard. Verlander has now delivered back-to- back quality starts after two ugly outings in mid-April.

Why Bet On Arizona?

The Snakes are second in the NL West but have dropped back three straight series, two to division leader Colorado and one to Washington. Arizona is tied for the Major League lead with 36 stolen bases (also: Cincinnati) and 10 ahead of Milwaukee (26). The D-backs also lead the Majors with 7 double-steals. A.J. Pollock ranks second in the Majors with 11 stolen bases, and Paul Goldschmidt and Chris Owings are tied for sixth (8). In Chase Field, the Diamondbacks put up great offensive numbers. At home, they lead the National League in hitting with a .301 average and place sixth overall in the league in team batting average. That’s a .256 average and the Washington Nationals top the NL with a .285 average. As productive as this team is in the desert, the opposite can said for the offense away from Chase Field. In road games this season, the Diamondbacks are last in the National League with a team batting average of .205. The Miami Marlins top the NL with a road .276 batting average. It’s former Tiger lefty Robbie Ray (2-2, 3.47) on the mound here. Ray allowed just two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out 10 batters over six innings during Thursday’s loss to Washington. Holding the Nationals to just two runs over six frames is an impressive performance on its own, so Ray’s 10 punchouts only improve the showing. The 25-year- old lefty improved has a 1.27 WHIP and 12.1 K/9 for the campaign. Ray is 3-5 with a 4.40 ERA (30 ER in 61.1 IP) in 11 Interleague starts. He was 1-3 with a 6.39 ERA (18 ER in 25.1 IP) vs. AL in 2016. Rays was originally drafted by Washington in 2010 and later traded to Detroit in 2013 with LHP Ian Krol and INF/OF Steve Lombardozzi for RHP Doug Fister.

Detroit at Arizona MLB Betting Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Snakes kill the ball at home and the Tigers have no experience facing Ray.