The Detroit Tigers (8-16, 4-7 away) take on the Chicago White Sox (12-10, 6-4 home) in game one of a doubleheader between the two American League Central opponents. Wednesday’s contest between the two teams was postponed due to weather, making Thursday a pair of seven-inning games.
The first pitch of game one is at 5:10 p.m. EST inside Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, IL. Chicago is favored on the money line, and the run total is 8.5.
What to Know – Detroit Tigers
Detroit dropped five in a row before taking the series opener against Chicago on Tuesday night. The Tigers have won just two of their last 12 contests after a 6-6 start to the season. Detroit sits in the last place of the AL Central standings and 7.5 games out of first place.
The Tigers have Matthew Boyd (2-2, 1.82 ERA, 0.84 WHIP) on the mound in game one. Boyd has been solid in his first five starts of the season with four quality starts. The lefty pitched 8.0 innings his last time out, scattering three hits, one earned run, with three strikeouts.
Detroit is averaging 3.1 runs per game with a .208 team batting average. The Tigers rank 29th out of 30 teams in batting average and 28th in runs scored. Third baseman Jeimer Candelario is the team leader in batting average (.264), runs (10), and hits (24), while catcher Wilson Ramos leads the team with six home runs.
What to Know – Chicago White Sox
The White Sox swept a three-game series over the Texas Rangers before dropping the opener to the Tigers. Chicago has won six of their last eight games after an up-and-down start to the season. The recent success for the White Sox put them 2.5 games out of first place in the AL Central.25-year old Dylan Cease (0-0, 4.15 ERA, 1.73 WHIP) takes the mound for the host. The right-hander has looked good in four starts this season but isn’t expected to pitch deep into the game. Cease lasted just 3.1 innings in his last start, surrendering two earned runs on three hits, and striking out five in the no-decision.
Chicago’s offense has a team batting average of .261, which has lead to the White Sox averaging 5.0 runs per game. Designated hitter Yermin Mercedes has been a surprise to the White Sox lineup, batting .432 with four home runs, 15 RBI, and eight runs. First baseman Jose Abreu continues to tap into the Fountain of Youth, leading the White Sox with five round-trippers, 17 RBI, and 11 runs.
The Pick is In
The White Sox couldn’t get anything going offensively Tuesday night in game one against the Tigers. Chicago was unable to capitalize on the five errors committed by Detroit.
Detroit has struggled lately and is one of the worst offensive teams in the majors, but the Tigers have their best pitcher on the mound who has had success in every start so far this season.
If this was your traditional nine-inning game, the pick might be different. But expect Boyd to go the distance here if allowed and the Detriot Tigers to tally their second win over Chicago in as many tries.
The Pick: Detroit Tigers +135
