Jesse Scholtens is expected to make his first start of the season as the Chicago White Sox (22-31) match up against the Detroit Tigers (23-26) at Comerica Park on Saturday.
The White Sox evened the series 1-1 after winning 12-3 on Friday. Starter Lance Lynn went six innings for the win, giving up three runs (1 ER) on three hits.
Tim Anderson was 4 for 5 with three runs and one RBI in the win. Yoan Moncada went 3 for 5 with a triple, one run, and three RBIs. Zach McKinstry went 1 for 2 with three walks and one run for the Tigers.
ON THE MOUND
Scholtens (0-2, 2.25 ERA) is in line for his first start of the season for Chicago. The RHP allowed one run in five innings of relief in his last appearance, a 3-0 road defeat against the Guardians on Monday.
He was charged with the loss, scattering two hits while striking out one and walking two. For Detroit, right-hander Michael Lorenzen (2-2, 4.08 ERA) will toe the rubber.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the White Sox. Lorenzen made one start against the White Sox in 2022, throwing 8.1 innings for the Angels in a 6-5 road win on May 1.
He gave up nine hits and walked two, while striking out two in the win. In his last start on Monday, Lorenzen took a no-decision on the road against the Royals. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up five runs on five hits, striking out five and walking two in the 8-5 win.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 4.8 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.3. Against right-handed pitchers like Lorenzen this season, the Sox have a .670 OPS, fifth lowest in the league.
Gavin Sheets is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .797 OPS in 105 at-bats. Detroit is averaging 5.0 runs per game in the last five, up from 3.7 for the season, with a higher on-base percentage (.378 vs .305).
The Tigers have a .647 OPS against right-handers in 2023, third lowest in the league. With a .386 OBP over 143 at-bats, McKinstry has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 10-18 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 4.9 runs. Detroit has gone 11-11 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. Chicago is 8-2 in the last 10 games at Comerica Park between the AL Central rivals with an average scoreline of 7.3-3.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, five games behind the division-leading Twins. The Tigers are second in the AL Central, two games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Detroit Tigers (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
