The Tigers pulled off the unthinkable too many over the weekend by knocking off the so-called Bronx Bombers by winning three in a row to ultimately win the series by a 3-1 count. Except for their Game 1 implosion, the pitching staff did a heck of a job limiting the Yanks to a total of six runs over the L/3 games. They got some exceptional pitching performances from Verlander, Rogers, and Bonderman, but Robertson got lit up in Game 1. I’m looking for more of that to occur this evening as well. He finished off the regular season laboring, and that carried over into his first start of the post-season. He boasts an 8.27 ERA in his L/3 starts, and has given up 27 hits in only 16.1 innings of work. He’s been blasted for 13 earned runs and 22 hits his L/2 starts, and the A’s come into this one batting a scorching .352 against south-paws in their L/10 games. Zito’s been prone to getting hit a bit at home this season as he’s given up 19 earned runs in his L/5 starts in the Coliseum. Look for both clubs to scratch a few runs early in this one with a 4-4 score in the late innings not surprising me in the least.

Click here to bet on all games and view all lines and odds .

The current total on this contest is 8.5 u20.

Barry Zito has been the best and most consistent Oakland pitcher all season long, posting a 3.73 ERA in 229 innings including the playoffs, and he may have pitched the game of his life in besting Johan Santana in the opening game of the ALDS. Zito has now allowed just five runs in 21 2/3 innings over his last three starts, and he was brilliant in his only start vs. Detroit this season also, allowing one run and just three hits in seven innings. As for Nate Robertson, we feel that he is a much better pitcher than he showed while the Yankees beat him up in the first game of the ALDS. Robertson won 13 games during the regular season, and he still has a nice 3.90 ERA on the road this year even if we include that playoff disaster at Yankee Stadium. Robertson also pitched well the last time he faced Oakland, allowing only five hits in sevens innings. Finally do not forget that both of these bullpens finished up in the Top 5 in the Major Leagues (Detroit 3rd, Oakland 5th) in pen ERA during the regular year.

LT PROFITS SPORTS recommends a play on DETROIT/OAKLAND UNDER 8.5 -120 in Game #1 of the ALCS

Click here to bet on all games and view all lines and odds .