TheSpread.com

Jim Feist

Orlando Magic vs Memphis Grizzlies
Pick: Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies have home court and are well rested having not played since Saturday. This is actually their first home game in a while having played the last three on the road. They've only played one home game so far and put 110 points on Atlanta, by far their biggest offensive show of the preseason. They take on a rebuilding Orlando team that is 2-4 in preseason and winless away from home. Their last road game they lost 112-86 at Detroit, so watch young Memphis run right at them and put on an offensive show. Play the Grizzlies!

Totals 4 You

2012 World Series Super Total of the Year
Detroit/San Francisco Under 6.5

Insider Sports Report

4* Detroit -160

SPORTS WAGERS

SAN FRANCISCO +151 over Detroit

The Tigers are such big favorites here because Justin Verlander starts Games 1 and 5. Verlander has been excellent this postseason but he got hit pretty hard in last year’s playoffs. It’s awhile back but he wasn’t very good back in the 2006 postseason either.  His career playoff ERA of 3.80 is notable.

The Tigers were able to dispose of the light-hitting  A’s in five games before taking on a Yankees team that looked tired and old. Both Oakland and New York struck out an average of 23% of the time in this year's postseason for one of the worst marks in history. The Giants’ bats won’t be as ineffective. San Fran puts the ball in play (ranked 3rd in MLB) and they were in the bottom third in baseball in strikeout rate. The Tigers defense hasn’t been tested in the playoffs, specifically the two corners where Miguel Cabrera and Price Fielder could prove to be liabilities. Defensively, we give a significant edge to San Fran.

The Tigers have a stronger starting rotation but after that, things begin to even out. Detroit’s bullpen, led by Phil Coke, could turn you into a chain-smoker. Of the 492 pitchers who threw at least 10 innings versus RHBs, Coke ranked 491st in batting average allowed, 489th in on-base percentage allowed and 482nd in slugging percentage allowed. While Coke played a vital role in the Tigers' win against New York, the Giants are a much tougher matchup.

In the end, Detroit could certainly win this series but this line is more reflective of a mismatch when in fact it is not. The Giants are at least Detroit’s equal and the value is just too good to ignore.

Seabass

200* Detroit to win World Series

50* Detroit -1½

Bob Balfe

Detroit Tigers -165

Mike Jacobs

Detroit / San Francisco Under  7

Charlies Sports

500* Detroit/ San Francisco Over 6

SF Giants - Series play +150

NY Knicks +4