NOTE: List only Verlander as Detroit's starting pitcher
Tigers starter Justin Verlander (12-5, 3.16 ERA) has been unreal at home this season, going 7-0 with a 1.15 ERA in nine starts at Comerica Park.
But Verlander has been sharp just about everywhere he's pitched recently, having gone 4-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 36 innings over his last five outings.
The hard-throwing right-hander, who allowed four runs (three earned) and six hits in seven innings Wednesday at Texas, also has dominated the Orioles in his career. Verlander is 4-0 with a 1.85 ERA in five career starts against Baltimore.
Orioles starter Chris Tillman (0-0, 5.79) will be making his second major league appearance today. The right-hander gave up three runs -- all on solo homers -- and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings Wednesday against Kansas City.
Not only has Verlander been sharp at home, but Detroit plays exceptionally well at Comerica, with a 31-16 record. This is not a good spot for Baltimore today. Take the Tigers on the run line.
DODGERS
NOTE: List only Kershaw as Los Angeles' starting pitcher
Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw (8-5, 2.76 ERA) is coming into his own.
The left-hander is 5-0 with a 0.79 ERA over his last nine starts, and he pitched eight scoreless innings Wednesday at St. Louis. It was the fifth time in nine outings he has held the opposition scoreless.
Brewers starter Manny Parra (5-8, 6.50) has been anything but sharp this year. The lefty gave up five runs and nine hits in six innings against Washington in his last outing, and gave up four runs and 10 hits in five innings vs. Cincinnati in the start before that.
Milwaukee is 3-10 in Parra's last 13 road starts, 7-19 in its last 26 games in Los Angeles and 0-4 in its last four games against southpaws. Meanwhile the Dodgers at 18-11 against lefties this year, and 34-17 at home. Those numbers don't add up very well for the Brewers. Take the Dodgers on the run line in this one.
The Diamondbacks cruised Sunday for my fifth win in my last seven complimentary selections. Let's keep this train a rolling!
Giants right-hander Matt Cain (12-2, 2.12 ERA) has become a leading candidate for the National League Cy Young Award. He went 3-0 with a 0.94 ERA in six July starts, and pitched a three-hit shutout against Pittsburgh in his last outing.
Astros starter Mike Hampton (6-8, 5.36) has allowed at least four earned runs in each of his last four starts. The veteran left-hander allowed nine runs and eight hits in four innings against the Cubs in his last outing.
Hampton went 2-3 with a 7.96 ERA in five July starts, and four of his six wins this season have come against the lowly Pirates.
San Francisco just got done taking three or four games against mighty Philadelphia, so beating Houston today shouldn't be too tough with Cain on the mound. Take the Giants in this one.
Dominic Fazzini 8/3
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