Free MLB Picks Today: Detroit Tigers vs Chicago White Sox 9/17/22

The Chicago White Sox (+115) are on the road to face the Detroit Tigers (-135) at Comerica Park on Saturday. The early total has been set at 7.5 runs (O: -120 | U: +100).The Tigers (55-89) took Friday’s series opener 3-2 in 10 innings, their fourth head-to-head victory in 14 games this season. Alex Lange threw one scoreless inning of relief to get the win. Javier Baez went 3 for 3 with a triple and a double in the win. He scored one run. Jonathan Schoop added a solo home run and a double. Elvis Andrus was 3 for 5 with one run for the White Sox (74-71).

ON THE MOUND

Johnny Cueto (7-8, 2.87 ERA) is set to take the mound for Chicago. The RHP allowed seven runs (five earned) over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 10-3 home defeat against the Athletics on Sunday. He was charged with the loss, giving up eight hits while striking out three and walking one. Cueto has made one previous start against the Tigers this season, an 8-0 home victory on July 9. He allowed five hits over eight scoreless innings, striking out five. For Detroit, LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (3-5, 4.50 ERA) will take the mound. He has made one prior start against the White Sox this season, giving up three runs over four innings in a 5-4 home win on April 8. He gave up four hits and walked two, while striking out two in the no-decision. In his last start on Monday, Rodriguez took the loss at home against the Astros. He threw five innings and gave up five runs on 10 hits, striking out two and walking one in the 7-0 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 3.4 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.3. Against left-handed pitchers like Rodriguez this season, the Sox have a .799 OPS, second highest in the league. AJ Pollock is the team’s best hitter against left-handers with a .970 OPS in 109 at-bats. Detroit is averaging only 1.4 runs per game in the last five, down from 3.3 for the season, with their slash line slipping across the board (.172/.207/.287). The Tigers have a .598 OPS against right-handers in 2022, lowest in MLB. With a .621 OPS over 372 at-bats, Baez has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Chicago is 39-34 on the road in 2022, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 3.7 runs. Detroit has gone 30-43 at Comerica Park this season, averaging 3.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.4. In the last 10 games at Comerica Park between the AL Central rivals, Chicago is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 6.2-3.3.

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, 22 games behind the Guardians.