World Series Tips: Humbled Tigers to level the series

"The Tigers will be hurting from last night, and led by Doug Fister, I expect them to level the series tonight."

Back Detroit Tigers @ 1.865/6

Detroit were surprisingly beaten by San Francisco in the first game of the World Series, but Richard Fletcher thinks the Tigers can pounce on the Giants tonight to make this one game apiece

Detroit Tigers @ San Francisco Giants 01:07 BST

It's Game 2 of the 2012 World Series, and the Detroit Tigers head back to San Francisco's AT&T Park with their tails firmly between their legs after last night's 8-3 defeat. The Tigers looked a little rusty after their five days off and the Giants' hefty slugger Pablo Sandoval capitalised by hitting a homer trifecta, with the first two coming off the normally dependable Justin Verlander (who looked overwhelmed at times) to crucially win a postseason series opener.

The Giants incredibly won six elimination games on the bounce to make the World Series, and they will want to avoid the heart-attack inducing tension of another if at all possible. The Game 1 winners have gone on to win the Series 66 times, or 61.7 percent of the time, and since 1993 all of the 11 home teams who were victorious in Game 1 have ultimately become champions.

The wounded Tigers have Doug Fister on the mound this evening, who in the regular season only went 10-10 with an ERA of 3.45 due to an injury-jinxed year, but in his late season play in September and especially in the postseason, he really stepped up a gear. The self-confessed Giants fan has a 0-0 record from his two playoff games in 2012 (both ending in victories for Detroit), and that hardly does him justice after pitching 13.1 innings which featured 13 strikeouts, and only two runs in 12 hits.

Another key attribute for the Giants last night was the strength of the pitching of Barry Zito, and crucially the dependability of their bullpen led by Tim Lincecum (who relieved Zito in the 6th inning) who were able to largely contain the Detroit offence and protect their six run lead. The Giants will tonight start lefty Madison Bumgarner who went 16-11 with an ERA of 3.37 in regular season action, but who is now 0-2 in the postseason this year, conceding a total of 10 runs in eight innings pitched, in losses to both the Reds and Cardinals.

The Tigers will be hurting from last night, and led by Doug Fister, I expect them to level the series tonight.

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Back Detroit Tigers @ 1.865/6

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MLB Tipping Sheet: Yankees can turn tide against Tigers

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Back New York Yankees @ 1.84/5
Back Washington -1.5 runs @ 1.774/5
Back San Francisco @ 2.13n/a

Richard Fletcher selects a trio of Wednesday night bets and backs the Yankees to overcome the Tigers...

New York Yankees @ Detroit Tigers - 00:05 BST

Having lost the first two games of this series - including a 6-5 defeat last night, in which the Tigers' long at-bats grinded the Yankees into submission - the 63-46 Yankees start with their in-form pitcher CC Sabathia (11-3 ERA 3.53). Sabathia pitched a complete game last time versus the Mariners, where he struck-out ten whilst allowing only three runs. He is also 2-0 against the Tigers this year. Anibal Sanchez (6-8, ERA 3.99) is the man for the 60-50 Tigers, who, after a dodgy debut, rebounded with a strong performance against Cleveland, pitching for six innings and allowing just two runs. However, Sanchez lacks experience against the Yankees' big hitters, so the 1.84/5 Sabathia-inspired Yankees make the most appeal here.

Washington Nationals @ Houston Astros - 01:05 BST

Washington, having not dominated their 36-75 opponents in the first few games of this series like a 67-43 team should (they won 3-2 yesterday), they have on the mound this evening arguably one of the most underrated pitchers in the league. Gio Gonzalez (13-6, ERA 3.34) admirably pitched for eight innings last week against Miami whilst striking-out ten, in a defeat where one bad innings pitching cost him the win. New recruit Armando Galarraga (0-1, ERA 5.23), was decidedly average against Atlanta in a 4-1 reversal last time, though he did show an aptitude not to crumble in the face of adversity. However, expect Washington to cut-loose tonight, and Washington -1.5 runs is the recommendation here.

San Francisco Giants @ St Louis Cardinals - 01:15 BST

Two equally matched teams are now tying at one-apiece in a four game series, with the Giants evening things up last night with a 4-2 victory. Both teams now have a 60-50 record, and a win here could make all the difference come the end of the season. Ryan Vogelsong (9-5, ERA 2.38) leads from the front, and went 16 consecutive games this year in which he conceded three runs or fewer, and the Giants have won 13 of his last 16 starts. Young-gun righty Joe Kelly (2-4, ERA 3.14), like many rookies, lacks the consistency of his more experienced rivals, but he got his first win since June versus the Brewers last time in a gritty performance. But the Giants at 2.13n/a is just too tempting to let pass.

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Back New York Yankees @ 1.84/5
Back Washington -1.5 runs @ 1.774/5
Back San Francisco @ 2.13n/a

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Super League Betting: Tigers and Warriors face tough tasks

Super League / Stuart Jones / 01 September 2011 / Leave a Comment

Castleford could struggle against Hull

"Beating Warrington away from home is a big ask in normal circumstances, never mind when you’ve spent the early part of the week celebrating new silverware."

This weekend's live Sky games will have a big impact on how the final play-off places unfold and Sunday's game between Warrington and Wigan could well decide who ends the season as Super League's Regular Season winners, writes Stuart Jones.

On current form Castleford are in serious danger of slipping out of the play-off places for the first time this season, and face a Hull side that will be keen to cement their own place amongst the last eight.

The Tigers have been woefully unlucky with injuries to their forwards and are still without several of their first-choice props, something that won't do them any favours when they come up against what is a monstrous Hull side.

The Castleford defence were at sixes and sevens against a poor Wakefield side in the latest round of Super League fixtures and, although they created far more chances, they still needed a late Dean Widders score to seal victory over there local rivals.
Hull recorded impressive wins over Catalans and Crusaders last month, with their 40-8 victory over a pretty much full strength French side as good a win as they have enjoyed all season.

With Mark O'Meley, Craig Fitzgibbon and Danny Houghton all expected to be fit for the trip to Castleford, the Airlie Birds ought to have way too much power for this depleted Tigers side,and look good value for giving up just a four and a half point start.
Opposing the winners of the Challenge Cup in the following week of Super League fixtures is unlikely have turned a loss in years gone by, especially if the winners were asked to take on the second best side in the league just eight days on from victory at Wembley.

Wigan may have been boosted by Sam Tomkins avoiding suspension, but beating Warrington away from home is a big ask in normal circumstances, never mind when you've spent the early part of the week celebrating new silverware.

The Warriors side were forced to work much harder than many people thought by Leeds last Saturday and Wigan's effort to hold such a sustained onslaught wil surely tell against a Wire side that have a fortnight to focus on beating the current league leaders.

Both Lee Mossop and Josh Charnley picked up injuries in the final and it's doubtful that Michael Maguire will risk that pair with the play-offs just around the corner. Ben Westwood and Adrian Morley are missing for the Wolves, but other than that, Tony Smith has a full strength and well-rested squad to choose from.

I expect Wigan's recent exploits to catch up with them at the Halliwell Jones and have to side with the Wolves giving up 2.5 pts.

Elsewhere, if the current handicap line for Bradford and Crusaders is anything to go by, I must have missed some signings the Bulls have made during a week's break. Bradford can't make the play-offs, still have no recognised hooker, and are missing Elliott Whitehead and Nick Scrutton. Their outright price of [1.16] is mystifying and the Crusaders look a good bet with 18.5 points start.

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Back Hull -4.5pts at [1.91]
Back Warrington - 2.5pts at [1.91]
Back Crusaders +18.5 pts at [1.91]

Ralph Ellis was unimpressed by Sam Tomkins two-fingered salute to Leeds fans last weekend. However, the youngster's talent is not in doubt and he could be crucial to Wigan's chances of success this season....

Wigan are very short favourites but that's for a reason. They're the better side in all areas of the pitch and should overcome the handicap in the end, says Stuart Jones....

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