Texas Rangers vs Detroit Tigers: Game 5 Winner
Thursday is a great day for sports. We have an MLB Playoff doubleheader and a strong college football game. Only one of the games do I have a strong enough feel to put my money on it.
And that is Game 5 of the ALCS between the Texas Rangers and the Detroit Tigers. The game has a first pitch of 4:15.
Game 4 in their series was once again delayed by rain, was again decided in extra innings, and again won by Texas mainly due to big plays by Nelson Cruz.
Cruz gunned down Miguel Cabrera at home plate in the bottom of the 8th on a fly ball that was hit to right field. Cruz made a perfect one hop throw to the plate, and Cabrera was easily out.
Cruz then hit a 3-run homerun in the 11th to give Texas a 4 run lead, and the win.
There is now no margin for error for the Tigers, as they trail the series 3-1.
The good news in Game 5 is they send out the best pitcher in baseball, when Justin Verlander takes the mound. Verlander was 24-5 in the regular season, with 250 strikeouts.
Look for Verlander to pitch a gem in front of the home crowd, and Detroit will avoid being elimated from the post season on their home field. Texas will win the series, clearly, but Detroit will put up one last stand on Thursday afternoon.
The Pick:
**** Roll with Verlander and the Tigers, one last time. Detroit, -155
