NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Yesterday brought a loss for the Twins because he was apparently backing the wrong horse in the race. The normally reliable Joe Ryan looked horrible and gave up a lot of runs early. In fact, I prefer to lose this way because I don’t need to pay attention to it. It was an incorrect reading and I can start looking at the next day of games. That was a game between two teams from the American League Central Division; I’m going to try one against another in the division when the Tigers take on the Cubs.
The Detroit Tigers are still under .500, but no one in the division has taken the lead, so there’s still a chance they can turn it around. I don’t need to remind you much about how August and September can change the division race. They were big favorites last year to win the division, and the Guardians went on a phenomenal run to steal the division. The Tigers had the last laugh when they won in the playoffs. Still, this team needs a shakeup one way or another, and all the talk surrounding them revolves around whether or not Tarik Skubal will be traded.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MAY 5: Framber Valdez #59 of the Detroit Tigers throws a pitch in the third inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park on May 5, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) ((Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images))
During the offseason, they knew they would have to make a decision on Skubal, and they signed Framber Valdez, the best starter available, to soften the blow of losing Skubal. For the year, Valdez is 5-6 with a 4.10 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Those numbers aren’t terrible, but they’re not exactly the best quality of the rotation either. Valdez has done a good job keeping the ball down, overall. He has 178 ground balls compared to 158 fly balls, and that doesn’t count his strikeouts. Cubs hitters haven’t done particularly well against Valdez either, going just 4-for-32 against him.
The Chicago Cubs are basically in the same place as last season. They were solid as a club, but they still look at the Milwaukee Brewers. They are one of the most streaky clubs in baseball, and if their offense starts to slow down, they will really struggle. That’s mainly because the pitching staff seems to be held together with duct tape and Band-Aids. They made a couple of trades to get some arms that could help them during the year, but no one they really want to go to the postseason with.
June 27, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States; Chicago Cubs pitcher David Peterson (19) throws a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. (Images by Michael McLoone-Imagn)
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS
One of those changes they made was for today’s starter, David Peterson. His numbers are pretty ugly, but the Cubs either thought they could trade him or saw something in him that made them think he was a worthwhile investment. He is 4-7 with a 6.45 and 1.64 ERA. He was much better in his last outing with them than in his first. Against the Orioles, he went five innings and allowed two hits and one earned run. Against the Cardinals, he allowed 10 earned runs on nine hits in 3.2 innings. The Tigers are 3 for 8 against him.
Wrigley Field in Chicago hosts a game between the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets on April 17, 2026. (Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
Some stadiums have a greater impact on betting than others. When the wind blows at Wrigley Field, the ball goes flying and it seems like the total can’t get high enough. Tonight, the wind will blow. Peterson is more of a fly ball pitcher, but there shouldn’t be too much damage against him, considering the wind can knock things over. Valdez is more of a ground ball pitcher. I think this game will be under the 8.5 overall tonight thanks to both pitchers having the help of the wind. For starters, the Tigers aren’t much of an offensive force either. Give me the next one.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
For more information on sports betting and gambling, follow David on X/Twitter: @futuroprez2024
