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MLB Playoff Preview & Predictions

The MLB playoffs is a great time of the year for sport's bettors, and it provides a great opportunity to make money. In this edition, the Royal Post briefly steps away from the gridiron and onto the diamond. In efforts to put you at the ticket window we have included a MLB preview & predictions.

Oakland A's vs. Minnesota Twins

This will be a great series and most likely the outcome will depend on Johan Santana's (19-6, 2.77 ERA) performance in Game 1. If the Twins win the opener it will be hard for Oakland to bounce back, considering the A's enter postseason having lost six of their last nine games.

Santana has been good against the A's with a lifetime mark of 4-1 in 7 starts with an ERA of 3.19. At home Santana has been virtually untouchable, literally. In the dome he's a perfect 12-0 with a sparkling ERA of 0.98. The Twins are 5-2 in Santana's last 7 starts vs. the A's.

Lefty Barry Zito (16-10, 3.83 ERA) will be handed the ball in Game 1 in what should be a pitcher's duel. In his career against Minnesota he's 4-4 with a respectable 3.58 ERA in 11 starts. The Twins are 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a left-handed starter.

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The A's are 1-5 in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning record, and they are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings in Minnesota. The Twins take it in 4 games.

- A's are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.

- A's are 0-3 in their last 3 Divisional Playoff games.

- A's are 0-3 in their last 3 playoff road games.

- Twins are 4-0 in their last 4 Tuesday games.

- Twins are 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a left-handed starter.

- A's are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings in Minnesota.

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Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees

Sunday, the Tigers wasted a chance to win the AL Central, giving up a six-run lead in a 10-8 loss to the Kansas City Royals in 12 innings. The loss left the Tigers holding onto the AL wild card, meaning the they lose home field advantage. 

The only thing concerning to New York is the Yankees' health, and defensively A-Rod is shaky and Gary Sheffield could be a liability at first. But even if errors are committed, the New York bats are very experienced and should be able to pick them up. If the Yankees head to the ninth with the lead it's game over with Mariano Rivera closing.

In Game 1, the Tigers send lefty Nate Robinson (13-13, 3.84 ERA) to the hill. Robinson has struggled against the Yankees with a career record of 1-4 and an ERA of 4.46 in 6 starts. In his last start against the Yankees he gave up 10 hits and 6 ERs in a loss.

The Yankees counter with Chien-Ming Wang (19-6, 3.63 ERA). Wang has been brilliant against the Tigers with a 3-0 record in 4 career starts with a sparkling 2.52 ERA. At home he's a stellar 11-3.

The Yankees have ample postseason experience and home field advantage where the Tigers are 8-25 in the last 33 meetings in New York. It was a great regular season in Mo' Town, but the Yankees take this series in 3 games.

- Tigers are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. American League East.

- Tigers are 2-5 in their last 7 games as an underdog.

- Tigers are 0-5 in their last 5 overall.

- Yankees are 3-0 in their last 3 Tuesday games.

- Yankees are 25-10 in their last 35 during game 1 of a series.

- Tigers are 8-25 in the last 33 meetings in New York.

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