Chicago White Sox (73-52) PK, o/u 9 ½ at Detroit Tigers (81-45), 7 p.m. Eastern Wednesday, ESPN 2
by Ultimatecapper.com Staff
The Detroit Tigers look to grab an even firmer grip on first place in the American League’s Central Division when they host the Chicago White Sox in game three of a four-game series Wednesday night at Comerica Park.
Detroit has had its problems with Chicago this season, losing nine of 12 games to the White Sox coming into this series. But the Tigers have won the first two games of this set by scores of 7-1 and 4-0 to extend their divisional lead over the second-place Chicago to 7 ½ games.
The White Sox are just 1-4 on their current seven-game road trip, but still lead the AL wild-card race by a half-game over the Minnesota Twins.
Detroit is 41-23 at home this season, while Chicago is 32-29 on the road.
Freddy Garcia (11-8, 4.87), who’s given up 27 long balls this season, will take to the hill Wednesday for the White Sox. Garcia has allowed 11 ER and 25 H+W in his last 20 1/3 IP. Chicago is 15-10 in Garcia’s starts this year, the over/under 12-10.
The White Sox are 3-0 in Garcia’s three starts vs. the Tigers this season. In those games, Garcia has allowed 9 ER and 25 H+W in 19 IP.
Detroit counters with rookie Zach Miner (7-4, 4.15) Wednesday night. Miner has given up 9 ER and 24 H+W in his last 17 2/3 innings of work, and he’s compiled a generous 6.00 ERA in his seven starts since the All-Star break. The Tigers are 9-5 in Miner’s starts this year, the o/u 8-6.
Miner has made one career start vs. the White Sox, giving up 4 ER and 8 H+W in 5 1/3 innings in a 7-3 Detroit loss 10 days ago.
Jon Garland (14-4, 4.73) will start for Chicago in the series finale Thursday afternoon, while the Tigers will go with Nate Robertson (11-9, 3.71).
The White Sox own a .344 team OBP this season, 6th-best in the AL, and are averaging 5.5 runs per game. But the Chicago attack has been a bit sluggish lately, scoring just 22 runs over their last eight games.
Detroit ranks 11th in the league with a .331 team OBP, and is averaging 5.1 RPG.
The White Sox bullpen has allowed 3 ER and 12 H+W in its last 9 2/3 IP.
The Tigers pen has limited foes to just 1 ER and 7 H+W in its last 12 1/3 IP.
The o/u is 63-56 in Chicago games this season, but just 48-73 in Detroit games and 23-37 at Comerica Park.
The Ultimatecapper Pick: We like the Sox tonight!
