The Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox meet Thursday in MLB action from Guaranteed Rate Field.
The Tigers are coming off a pair of games versus the Brewers. Detroit lost Monday but won the Tuesday game. As for the White Sox, they played the Indians this week. Chicago took the Monday game but fell in the other pair. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Detroit fell in a tough one on Monday 3-2 to the Brewers, posting eight team hits and an error. In the Tuesday matchup the Tigers fared better, notching 13 team hits on the way to a 10-7 victory. Starter Matthew Boyd went 4.2 innings with five earned on five hits.
For the starter job in the Thursday game, the Tigers are sending out Casey Mize. Across 57.2 innings of work this year, Mize has 44 hits, 21 earned runs, seven homers, 20 walks, 47 strikeouts and a 3.28 ERA.
Over on the White Sox’ side, they managed an 8-6 win over the Indians on Monday but then lost 3-1 in the next game and 6-5 on Tuesday. In the game three loss, Chicago starting pitcher Dylan Cease went just 3.1 innings with six earned on eight hits.
For the starter role in the Thursday game, the White Sox are sending out Dallas Keuchel. Over 59.2 innings of work this year, Keuchel has 61 hits, 34 runs (30 earned), eight homers allowed, 18 walks, 30 Ks and a 4.53 ERA.
The Tigers are 6-2 in the last eight games versus a lefty starter and 17-35 in their last 52 Thursday games. Detroit is 22-47 in their last 69 in game one of a series and 9-20 in their last 29 after an off day.
Meanwhile, the Sox are 4-0 in their last four Thursday games and 4-1 in their last five in game one of a series. Chicago is 5-2 in the last seven overall and 4-1 in their last five at home versus a right-handed starter.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the White Sox. This is dependent on Keuchel bouncing back from his last start, however. On May 29 versus the Orioles, Keuchel coughed up three home runs in five innings on eight hits. That’s pretty uncharacteristic of him this year. I like Mize to pitch well also; he’s given up one earned in each of his last three starts. Should be a good matchup all around, but like Chicago to eke out a win.