The Detroit Tigers (54-89) and their weakest lineup in the league are set to host the Chicago White Sox (74-70) at Comerica Park on Friday for the opener of a three-game series. The White Sox won their last game 8-2 over the Guardians at Progressive Field on Thursday. Yoan Moncada was 4 for 5 with a home run and a double. He scored two runs. Yasmani Grandal added a solo home run. The Tigers are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They were just swept in three games against the Astros, dropping the finale 2-1 on Wednesday at Comerica Park for their fourth straight loss. Javier Baez went 2 for 4 with a solo home run.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The White Sox have won 10 of 13 in the season series between the AL Central rivals, including a 5-3 victory in their most recent meeting on August 14 at Guaranteed Rate Field. Lance Lynn got the win, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings and striking out seven, and Kendall Graveman earned his sixth save.
ON THE MOUND
Lucas Giolito (10-9, 5.21 ERA) is set to get the start for Chicago. The righty allowed three runs over six innings in his last start, a 5-3 road win over the Athletics on September 9. He yielded five hits while striking out six and walking two in the no-decision. Over three previous starts against the Tigers this season, Giolito has allowed nine earned runs over 17.2 innings (1-1, 4.58). He has struck out 21 and walked five. For Detroit, righty Matt Manning (2-2, 3.86 ERA) gets the ball. He has made one prior start against the White Sox this season, giving up four runs over five innings in a 6-4 road defeat on August 13. He gave up 10 hits and walked one, while striking out five in the no-decision.In his last start on Saturday, Manning got the win on the road against the Royals. He threw 6.1 innings and gave up three runs (2 ER) on three hits, striking out four and walking one in the 8-4 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Chicago offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .262/.317/.392. Jose Abreu leads the team in OPS at .839. The first baseman is slashing .310/.385/.455 with 15 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 79 runs over 142 games. Against righties like Manning this season, the Sox have a .684 OPS. Abreu also is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .836 OPS in 434 at-bats. Detroit is slashing .229/.285/.341 for the season and averaging 3.3 runs per game, lowest in MLB. Baez leads the team with a .651 OPS. The shortstop has 13 home runs, 56 RBIs, and 53 runs scored with a slash line of .233/.274/.376. The Tigers have a .598 OPS against right-handers in 2022, lowest in MLB. With a .600 OPS over 369 at-bats, Baez also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 39-33 in road games in 2022, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 3.7 runs. Detroit has lost five in a row at their home ballpark. The Tigers are 29-43 at home this season, averaging 3.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. Chicago is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Comerica Park with an average scoreline of 6.5-3.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The White Sox are second in the AL Central, four games behind the division-leading Guardians. They are fifth in the Wild Card race, six games out of third. The Tigers are fifth in the AL Central, 23 games behind the Guardians.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Chicago White Sox (-155)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
