Yankees vs Tigers Game 4 MLB Playoffs 2011 Odds: Joe Girardi and the (1-2) New York Yankees [-113] will be staring at what could be a catastrophic early exit from the MLB Playoffs 2011 in Game 4 against the (2-1) Detroit Tigers [+103]. Comerica Park in the Motor City will be bloodthirsty tonight, as Jim Leyland the AL Central-clinching Tigers will avoid going back to the Big Apple for a decisive Game 5 at all costs.
First pitch of Game 4 in this best-of-five series is scheduled to be striking the catcher’s mitts at 8:40 PM ET (7:40 PM CT). You can catch all the MLB Playoffs 2011 action live on TBS following Game 3 between the Phillies and Cardinals. For those interested in betting on this game’s final score, MLB Playoffs 2011 Odds makers have projected the Yankees and Tigers to combine and score a high OVER/UNDER total of 9½ runs.
So why are so many runs expected to cross the plate tonight, you ask? Let’s take a look at the pitching matchup for Game 4 to find the answer. On the brink of elimination, Girardi will hand the ball over to a guy that has become infamous for underachieving — in the regular season as well as in the MLB Playoffs — and disrespecting the Yankee skipper, time and time again, while in pinstripes.
Pitching for the Bronx Bombers in Game 4 will be the underachieving, RHP AJ Burnett (2011 season: 11-11, 5.15 ERA) as he makes his first start of the 2011 postseason. Going into tonight, Burnett holds a record of 1-2 with a 5.67 ERA in 6 MLB Playoff starts.
His opponent tonight, and pitching for the Tigers will be the young (2011 season: 14-9, 4.75 ERA) Rick Porcello. In his third season in the majors, the former 2009 rookie of the year will have the daunting task of trying to close out a desperate and stacked Yankees offense. Porcello has never pitched in the postseason before…
So, who has the advantage in Game 4: the guy with some experience, even though all of it is pretty bad, or the guy with zero familiarity with postseason play? This is going to be a very interesting game! Definitely a must-see! Get $50 in Free MLB Picks Here!
“What you have to remember about Rick Porcello is he's still a very, very young pitcher,” Leyland said. “I think he's won 38 games in the Major Leagues already, but he's still a young pitcher. So those things are going to happen. There's no question about that. Figuring out big league hitters, figuring out how to calm down, figuring out how to have just enough adrenaline and not too much adrenaline. He's figuring it all out in the process.”
My Game 4 MLB Playoffs 2011 Pick: New York Yankees [+1½]. I think the experienced Yankee lineup will work the count and drive Porcello's pitch count up. These guys are seasoned, and can explode at any given time, especially with a green guy like Porcello on the mound. Get ready for Game 5 people!
