AL Central Showdown: Twins-Tigers TV Schedule, Pitching Matchups, Picks, and Ticket Links

[Editor's Note: The guys from BetOnline check in with their bi-weekly column previewing the most important events in sports. Today, they take a look at the Twins-Tigers series that will go a long way towards deciding this year's AL Central champion.]

Sportsbook fans were eagerly awaiting Monday night’s Tigers-Twins game, which was supposed to open a four-game series that will arguably determine the AL Central winner.

Rain knocked the game back to Tuesday afternoon, meaning there’s still time to reevaluate the final three games of the series.

Detroit appears to be in great shape for those online betting matchups.

Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept. 29 @ 7:05 p.m. ET

TV: MLB Network

StubHub Tickets: Twins-Tigers tickets as low as $25.

Pitching Matchup: Brian Duensing (5-1, 3.33) vs. Justin Verlander (17-9, 3.41)

Verlander has rebounded from a poor 2008 campaign with a dominant performance. His 256 strikeouts dwarf his previous best of 183, and he’s coming off an 11K performance against Cleveland.

The Twins have been his kryptonite this year, however, as he’s 0-2 with a 5.49 ERA in three starts.

Duensing, a rookie, has been brilliant for Minnesota. He began the season as a reliever but, after becoming a starter, has been on fire. His 1.74 ERA in September is impressive. Even better? His 6.1 inning, four-hit shutout of Detroit a few weeks ago.

On paper this matchup seems to favor the rookie, but you’re still better off taking Verlander on your MLB picks—this is a pressure-packed game that makes youngsters crumble and vets excel.

———

Date & Time: Wednesday, Sept. 30 @ 7:05 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

StubHub Tickets: Twins-Tigers tickets as low as $6.

Pitching Matchup: Carl Pavano (13-11, 4.86) vs. Eddie Bonine (0-1, 4.60)

Part-time starter Bonine has been an adequate fill-in for Detroit. In his past two starts he’s allowed five runs (three earned) in 11.2 innings of work. He’s faced the Twins once is his brief career and it wasn’t pretty: 2.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 6.75 ERA.

Pavano, on the other hand, must be licking his chops for this matchup. He’s eaten Detroit’s soul to the tune of four wins and a 1.69 ERA in five starts. It doesn’t take betting software to figure out veteran experience plus a proven track record against Detroit makes Pavano the right call.

———-

Date & Time: Thursday, Oct. 1 @ 1:05 p.m. ET

TV: MLB Network

StubHub Tickets: Twins-Tigers tickets as low as $10.

Scott Baker (14-9, 4.48) vs. Nate Robertson (2-2, 5.56)

Robertson struggled in his last start, allowing four earned runs in 3.1 innings, though the Detroit lineup bailed him out. Besides that hiccup he’s had a fine month (3.86 ERA in four starts, five appearances), including a solid five-inning, two-run effort against the Twins a few weeks ago.

Twins starter Scott Baker can’t claim the same success. He’s been knocked around badly by the Tigers this season, going 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in three starts. History says bet on Robertson and the Tigers.

THE PICK: Tigers sweep the final three games of this series

Tags: AL Central, Detroit Tigers, minnesota twins, mlb tickets, twins-tigers tickets

---------------

If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing with your friends: