Free MLB Picks -  Detroit at Minnesota MLB Odds: Kevin Slowey will take the mound today at the Metrodome for the Minnesota Twins in the opening game of a three game Independence Day weekend series with American League Central leaders,  Detroit Tigers. Slowey, a righthander and leading American League Cy Young Award candidate, currently has a 10-3 record with a 4.41 ERA. The Twins, currently sitting in third place of the Central Division standings only trailing Detroit by three games in the standings, can pull even with a series sweep. The Tigers will counter with rookie Lucas French. Friday's start will be French's major league debut as a starter.

[BetUS.com lists the Twins as -200 moneyline favorites to win the weekend series over Detroit.]

The heat and humidity in St. Louis seemed to take a toll on Slowey as he lasted just three innings and allowed five runs on six hits in a start against the Cardinals. The right-hander struggled to find a way to get Albert Pujols out and that was what cost him a chance at picking up a Major League leading 11th win in the contest. The right-hander will get another chance at that number when he faces the Tigers at home in the series opener. Slowey is 3-0 with a 4.57 ERA in four career starts vs. Detroit.

French has been the best pitcher in the Twins farm system over the past month. He has given up four earned runs on 16 hits with 26 strikeouts over 23 innings in his last three starts, though he hasn't won any of them. Further back he has lasted at least 6 2/3 innings with two earned runs or less in five of his last six starts.

Oddsmakers at BetUS.com has installed the Twins as -165 moneyline favorites over Detroit with a 9-run total. Tigers' backers are getting +145 moneyline odds.


The Tigers lost 5-1 to the A's in the series rubber match last time out, as -135 favorites. That game's six runs went UNDER the day's posted over/under (7.5). Gerald Laird drove in the only run, while Justin Verlander surrendered four runs off six hits over six innings of work.

The Twins capitalized on two errors as they defeated the Royals 5-1 in the series rubber match on Wednesday, as a -110 pick'em. The six runs went UNDER the day's posted over/under (8.5). Michael Cuddyer hit a solo home run and finished with two RBIs. Glen Perkins allowed 10 hits and one run over seven innings in the win.

Free MLB Pick: Twins starter Slowey will be tough on the Tigers in this one. Take the Twins -165 ml.