Free MLB Picks Today: Detroit Tigers vs Chicago White Sox 9/18/22

The Chicago White Sox (+110) are on the road to face the Detroit Tigers (-130) at Comerica Park on Sunday with the three-game series in the balance. The early total has been set at 8 (O: -110 | U: -110). The White Sox (75-71) evened the series 1-1 after winning 4-3 in 11 innings on Saturday, their 11th head-to-head victory in 15 games this season. Liam Hendriks threw one scoreless inning in relief to get the win, and Aaron Bummer earned his second save. Andrew Vaughn was 1 for 2 with one run in the win. Akil Baddoo went 1 for 3 with a triple and two runs for the Tigers (55-90). Javier Baez added one RBI on one hit.

ON THE MOUND

Johnny Cueto (7-8, 2.87 ERA) is in line for the start for Chicago. The righty allowed seven runs (five earned) over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 10-3 home defeat against the Athletics on September 11. 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, righty Drew Hutchison (2-8, 4.24 ERA) is on the mound. He has made three appearances against the White Sox this season, including two starts, giving up four runs over 12 innings (0-1, 3.00) with four strikeouts and three walks. In his last start on Tuesday, Hutchison took the loss at home against the Astros. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up four runs on nine hits, striking out two, in the 6-3 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 3.6 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.3. Against righties like Hutchison this season, the Sox have a .685 OPS. Jose Abreu is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .837 OPS in 443 at-bats. Detroit is averaging only 2.0 runs per game in the last five, down from 3.3 for the season, with their slash line slipping across the board (.171/.209/.293). The Tigers have a .597 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 40-34 away from home in 2022, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 3.7 runs. Detroit has gone 30-44 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 3.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.4. In the last 10 games between the AL Central rivals at Comerica Park, Chicago is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 6.3-3.2.

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, 24 games behind the Guardians.