The Detroit Tigers are storming right out of the gates. They lead the majors with an 8-1 record in the early goings of the regular season. The Tigers can extend their lead tonight with a proven ace on the mound. But the Chicago White Sox are due for a breakout game to get them out of their early struggles.
Will the White Sox take a win out of Comerica Park today? Read on for everything you need to know for the afternoon’s Major League Baseball showcase. In the meantime, check out our complete previews for tonight’s Athletics vs. Royals and Rockies vs. Dodgers.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Chicago White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers Preview
Where: Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
When: Friday, April 17, 1:08 PM ET
Line: Chicago White Sox (+150) at Detroit Tigers (-170); total 7.5 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Chicago White Sox
Prized offseason acquisition Jeff Samardzija takes the ball tonight. But he hasn’t looked like an ace the Chicago White Sox needed. He is 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA in his first two starts for the White Sox. Samardzija allowed five runs over six innings in a season-opening loss at Kansas City. He then threw five scoreless innings before surrendering four runs in a 5-4 win over Minnesota on Saturday.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Samardzija may be up for another rough outing against the big bats of the Tigers. Detroit has scored the fourth-most runs in the majors thus far this season. The Tigers’ batting average (.312) and on base percentage (.387) are second only to the Kansas City Royals.
But Detroit’s bats can be silenced. The Tigers managed just three runs in their last two games against Francisco Liriano and A.J. Burnett, who both have career ERAs of over 4.00. Samardzija has a career ERA of 3.89.
Should Samardzija struggle once again, it’ll be up to the White Sox’ batters to give their starting pitcher some much needed run support. Jose Abreu batted .389 with five homers, eight doubles and 13 RBIs in 19 games against Detroit in 2014. But he’s hit just one in seven at-bats lifetime against Detroit ace David Price. Adam Eaton went 5-for-8 against Price in 2014, but is only 4-for-34 this season.
The White Sox have lost four of their five road games this season.
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Betting on the Detroit Tigers
Detroit bid farewell to Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello in the offseason. The Tigers were also without 2011 AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander through their first nine games of the season. But they’ve been killing it on the mound, throwing for 19 straight scoreless innings heading into this game against Chicago.
The Tigers have a solid chance to keep their opponents from reaching home base with David Price on the mound. Price is taking a 21 2/3 regular season scoreless inning streak dating to his last start of 2014. He pitched for eight scoreless innings in his last start against Chicago before allowing three runs in the ninth in September 2014. Price has gone 4-1 with a 2.96 ERA in his last six starts against the White Sox.
Of the Tigers’ impressive batters, only J.D. Martinez has faced Samardzija in his career. He’s 2-for-6 lifetime with a triple and three RBIs against the White Sox starter.
Considering Samardija’s penchant for allowing runs in his first two starts of the season, then Detroit’s hot bats may be hard to cool off. Jose Iglesias has batted .481 this season and has three hits in five at-bats in the past two games. Miguel Cabrera is batting .432 with two home runs and nine RBIs this season. But he’s gone 2-for-11 with a double and two RBIs in three games at Comerica Park thus far.
Ian Kinsler and Yoenis Cespedes have been impressive at home though, combining to hit 9-for-24 with two doubles, a triple and five RBIs. They’re right next to each other in Detroit’s batting order, so having them continue their excellent forms should result in a couple of runs.
The total has gone over in four of Detroit’s last six games.
Writer’s Prediction
Detroit (-170) batters Samardzija for another big win.
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