ALCS Game 4 – NLCS Game 3: MLB Playoff Free Picks

Major League Baseball Playoffs take center stage on Wednesday, October 12, 2011, as the American and National League Championship Series continue.

The Texas Rangers are up 2-1 in the ALCS as they visit the Tigers at 4:19 PM ET from Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan.

Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, has the Cardinals hosting the Milwaukee Brewers at 8:05 PM ET with the NLCS tied at one game apiece.

>>>Bet On The MLB 2011 Playoffs At BetOnline <<<

MLB 2011 ALCS Game 4 Rangers @ Tigers Preview

With injuries mounting, and very little rest, the Tigers and Rangers are getting right back it with a mid-afternoon game today.

In addition to Magglio Ordonez and Delmon Young being out, the Tigers may be without DH Victor Martinez tonight. Texas will have a very hobbled Albert Beltre in their line-up – if he can play at all.

The Rangers can reasonably cover for Beltra with Michael Young at third base and Mike Napoli as their DH. Detroit losing a third power hitter, and their protection for Miguel Cabrera in the batting order, would be a crucial blow to the Tigers.

Texas starts LHP Matt Harrison, while Detroit will counter with RHP Rick Porcello. Harrison is 0-5 against the Tigers, in starts dating back to 2009, and has allowed 22 runs in 26.1 innings pitched. Porcello started once against the Rangers, versus Harrison in Texas, and won 8-1 back on June 7, 2011.

MLB 2011 NLCS Game 3 Brewers @ Cardinals Preview

After Milwaukee pounded St. Louis 9-6 in Game 1, the Cardinals came back with a 12-3 beat down of the Brewers in Game 2 of the 2011 MLB NLCS. In the slightly more pitcher friendly Busch Stadium, the run totals should come down some.

That was certainly the case during the regular season as these two teams averaged 5.33 runs per game in Busch Stadium, while they scored 9.67 RPG at Miller Park.

Chris Carpenter for the Cards, and Yovani Gallardo for the Brew Crew, are tonight’s starting pitchers. Carpenter won his last two starts against Milwaukee by 2-0 and 5-2 scores. Both games were in St. Louis and Gallardo was on the hill for the 5-2 victory.

For his part, Gallardo has lost his last three starts against the Cardinals, giving up 15 runs in 15.2 innings pitched. Back on May 5, 2011, Gallardo tossed an eight inning shutout as the Brewers won 4-0 in St. Louis.

Baseball Betting Lines: MLB League Championship Series Free Picks

We can’t see Martinez being an effective designated hitter for Detroit, if he plays at all. That’s horrible news for Cabrera and the rest of the Cats in the batting order. However, don’t under estimate Manager Jim Leyland’s ability to get the Tigers to play some “small ball” today.

St. Louis seems like the team of destiny in the 2011 MLB Playoffs while the Brewers are like a team that’s “not quite there yet”. The problem with the Brewers scenario is that this team will probably be torn down during the off season – unless they can open their wallet, real wide.

We can see a close contest here, so we will take the runs and roll with the Tigers at home.

>>> Take DET over TEX with the +1.5 (-160) Run Line at BetOnline <<<

Dreaming of a repeat of the 1968 World Series, we are soaring with the Red Birds in this one.

>>> Take STL over MIL with the -149 Money Line at BetOnline <<<