Tigers (Peralta) vs. Twins (Happ)

The Tigers and Twins have been working overtime the last two games, and split the results.

The Tigers send out Wily Peralta today. Peralta is a good news story for the Tigers this season. Signed to a minor league contract last winter, he is 3-2 with an ERA of 2.54. This season he has held right handed batters off the board to a remarkable degree. Peralta has faced Happ and the Twins in July and emerged with a shutout. His last start was less than spectacular and he has been having some control issues.

Facing Peralta is another veteran, J.A. Happ. At 5-5 and with an ERA over 6.00, it hasn’t been

Happ’s finest season, and while his home record has been good, he has really struggled against right handed batters.

Both pens have well well used this series and are nothing to brag about. Detroit relief has been better of late. The weak hitting Tigers have had good success against Happ in the past. The almost-as-weak-hitting Twins are 24-28 at home this year and have fared poorly against Peralta. The Tigers really struggle on the road, but the fact is both these teams struggle anywhere they play.

I am wagering that Happ will continue his losing ways and Peralta will rebound. The Tigers are an underdog. Taking the Tigers’ poor road record in context, I am saying take the Tigers +1.5.