White Sox vs. Tigers Thursday Prediction
American League Central rivals open a new series at Comerica on Thursday as the Tigers host the White Sox at 1:10 p.m. ET. Is the over/under for this game set too high?
Game Snapshot & Odds
961 Chicago White Sox (-110) at 962 Detroit Tigers (-110); 8.5 runs
Thursday, April 18, 2019
1:10 p.m. ET, Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new Baseball Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to our MLB Public Betting Chart page, 54% of the betting tickets are on the White Sox to beat the Tigers on the moneyline.
Chicago White Sox Fantasy Spin
Tim Anderson belted his fourth homer before getting ejected for his role in a bench-clearing brawl Wednesday in the White Sox’s loss to Kansas City. Anderson demolished Brad Keller’s two-out offering in the fourth inning, slugging a two-run shot to left for his fourth bomb of 2019. He also admired the heck out of it, uncoiling a bat flip for the ages on his way around the bases. That didn’t sit too well with Keller, who plunked Anderson when he stepped to the plate in the sixth inning. Anderson didn’t charge the mound, but he had plenty to say on his stroll to first base, emptying the dugouts and eventually leading to his ouster. It’s unclear if Anderson did enough to warrant a suspension, though he’ll at least be writing a check after this one. The 25-year-old has gotten off to an explosive start (now in more ways than one) for the Pale Hose, leading the AL with a .424 average while also amassing six steals, which ranks second behind Seattle second baseman Dee Gordon.
Detroit Tigers Fantasy Spin
John Hicks went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and an RBI during an extra-inning loss to the Pirates on Wednesday. He plated Christin Stewart by singling to center in the fourth inning. The Tiger backstop has struggled with the bat so far this season, slashing .194/.237/.361 with one home run and three RBI. The stolen base was his first of the season and fourth of his career.
MLB Betting Trends
Chicago
The White Sox are 26-53 in the last 79 meetings with the Tigers at Comerica.
Detroit
The Tigers are winless over their last five games and have dropped four of their last five divisional games.
Prediction:
The over has been profitable when these two teams meet in Detroit (35-14-3), but the pitching matchup sets up for the under today. Chicago starter Ivan Nova is a low-strikeout pitcher that induces a lot of ground balls and is much better against right-handed heavy offenses. That fits the Tigers, who also own a 28% strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. On the other side, Detroit starter Tyson Ross has a low strikeout rate that also relies on a high ground ball rate for his success. Like Nova versus the Tigers, Ross should keep the run-scoring to a minimum, as the White Sox’ lineup has a combined 26% strikeout rate against right-handed pitching.
The Pick: White Sox/Tigers UNDER 8.5