Tigers vs. White Sox MLB Odds, Picks, Predictions: Will Low-Scoring Trends Continue in Chicago? (Friday, August 12)
Michael Reaves/Getty Images. Pictured: Yasmani Grandal
- The White Sox are strong home favorites in tonight's matchup against the Tigers.
- Michael Kopech is scheduled to take the mound for Chicago, while Detroit is in for a likely bullpen game fronted by Daniel Norris.
- Continue reading for a full breakdown of this matchup, including a betting pick.
Tigers vs. White Sox Odds
| Tigers Odds | +180 |
| White Sox Odds | -210 |
| Over/Under | 8 (-115/-105) |
| Time | 7:10 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB.TV |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
We have the first matchup of this three-game AL Central series as the Chicago White Sox host the Detroit Tigers. The under has hit in four of the last six meetings between these two clubs.
Will we see another low-scoring affair, or can the bats pick it up this time around?
Can Tigers Find Offense?
The Detroit Tigers enter this series amid a flurry of low-scoring contests as there have been eight or fewer total runs scored in 14 of their last 15 games (93%). I expect this strong trend to continue in this series opener.
Left-hander Daniel Norris is projected to take the mound for Detroit. Though the reliever is making his 28th pitching appearance, this game will only be his second start of the year.
Through those 27 appearances, Norris is 0-4 with a 6.90 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. While those surface-level stats are obviously horrible, his metrics suggest that positive regression is looming.
This season, Norris boasts a .322 xwOBA, .201 xBA and .379 xSLG. Regardless of whether this positive regression will be realized in this game or not, Norris will be on a short leash and could result in a bullpen game for the Tigers.
Since July 1, the Tigers' relief pitching ranks 10th in the league in ERA, fourth in SLG, seventh in wOBA and third in FIP. However, this pitching staff should not much run support as the Tigers are slated to go against right-hander Michael Kopech.
When facing right-handed pitchers, Detroit ranks just 27th in the league in BA, 30th in SLG, 30th in OPS, 30th in wOBA and 29th in hard-hit percentage since the beginning of July. Through 41 career plate appearances against Kopech, this current Tigers roster possesses a .194 BA, .472 SLG, and .309 wOBA.
Kopech Solid For White Sox
Like Detroit, the Chicago White Sox enter this amid a run of low-scoring contests as there have been eight or fewer total runs scored in 10 of their last 13 games (77%).
Through 20 starts this season, Kopech is 4-8 with a 3.38 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. We should not expect any regression from Kopech in this game as he boasts a .312 xwOBA, .220 xBA and .387 xSLG.
Kopech has thrown against Detroit twice this season, producing a 2.89 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. Following Kopech is one of the league's more underrated bullpens.
Since July 1, Chicago's relief pitching ranks 14th in the league in ERA, 13th in WHIP, 11th in BA, seventh in SLG, sixth in wOBA and 10th in hard-hit percentage. However, this pitching staff may not get much run support against Norris.
When facing left-handed pitchers, Chicago ranks just 18th in the league in BA, 26th in SLG, 24th in OPS, 25th in wOBA and 21st in hard-hit percentage.
Tigers-White Sox Pick
The under looks like a great bet from every angle in this game. Norris is due for positive regression but is followed by a strong bullpen even if that does not come to fruition.
Kopech is an extremely strong pitcher who is also followed by a strong bullpen. On top of these facts, each lineup has struggled mightily recently.
The poor hitting from each lineup has resulted in an abundance of low-scoring games recently. Between each team, there have been eight or fewer total runs scored in 24 of their last 28 combined games (86%).
I would rather lay more juice at 8 than play the under at 7.5.
Pick: Tigers/White Sox u8 (-105) | Play up to (-125)
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