Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers Free Preview

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The Chicago White Sox are ready to play their AL Central rival Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Chicago will showcase the matchup.

Chicago White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers Odds

Oddsmakers have listed Detroit (-140) as the favorite over Chicago (+130). Bettors can wager on the games total with odds sitting at even money (+100) for over 9.5 runs and -120 for under 9.5. The games most recent runline odds sit at -170 for betting the White Sox +1.5 runs and +150 for the Tigers -1.5.

The White Sox have gone only 16-33 SU this year and are 25-23 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 15.6 units for moneyline gamblers and 1.6 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Tigers, on the other hand, are 22-29 SU and 29-21 ATS. The team has gained 0.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 4.0 units ATS. Detroit has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.

Tigers games have had an over/under record of 21-27-2 so far in 2018. Chicago has an over/under record of 22-23-3.

Right-hander James Shields is projected to start for the visiting White Sox. Shields is 1-4 with a 4.62 ERA and 41 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA against Detroit this year (two starts).

The Tigers will put the ball in the left hand of Blaine Hardy (0-0, 3.46 ERA), who has 11 strikeouts and three walks this season as well as a 1.46 WHIP. Hardy hasn’t faced the White Sox yet this year and did not record a start against them in 2017.

Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 5.4 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.61 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 6.17 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.19, along with a WHIP of 1.47 and a K/9 of 9.39.

The White Sox offense has slashed .247/.314/.416 on its way to 4.0 runs scored per game this year, including 4.8 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over the teams last five contests (3-2 SU).

Chicago’s hitters have been powered by first baseman Jose Abreu and third baseman Yolmer Sanchez. Abreu is slashing .319/.382/.560 with nine home runs, 30 RBIs and 28 runs scored, while Sanchez (.272/.311/.394) has produced two homers, 22 RBIs and 18 runs scored.

Abreu enjoyed hitting against lefty pitching on the road in 2017, maintaining a slash line of .342/.383/.685 across 81 such plate appearances (compared to his total season line of .304/.354/.552).

In the other dugout, Detroit’s pitchers have given up 4.7 runs per game overall in 2018. The clubs starters have a 4.27 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.56 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 8.2 K/9. In 25 games against AL Central opponents, Tigers starters have an ERA of 4.12 and the bullpens ERA is 3.72.

Detroit’s offense has put up 4.2 runs per outing, including 3.7 per game against divisional foes and 3.0 per game over its last five. The teams hit .239/.291/.374 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.

The Tigers hitters have been led by right fielder Nicholas Castellanos and third baseman Jeimer Candelario. Castellanos is hitting .325/.371/.508 with five home runs, 27 RBIs and 27 runs scored, while Candelario’s line sits at .277/.364/.529 with seven homers, 20 RBIs and 24 runs.

Candelario appeared to enjoy facing righty pitching at home in 2017, slashing .365/.468/.538 over 62 such plate appearances (his overall season line was .283/.359/.425).

The White Sox have lost 5.0 units and are 5-6 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in seven of those games, as opposed to four that’ve gone under against lefty starters. On the other hand, the Tigers have lost 1.4 units and are 21-17 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 13 of those games, compared to 23 which went under the total.

Chicago White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers Free Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Tigers, ATS Winner – White Sox, O/U – UNDER

Betting Trends

  • Detroit has recorded 17.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 18.6 over its last five.
  • The White Sox have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.