These two AL Central rivals are heading in opposite directions as they start a four-game series with a doubleheader.
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers
Chicago opens up a four-game series with a day-night doubleheader against the Tigers on Tuesday. The White Sox haven’t been very successful against divisional opponents this year, posting a 17-20 mark (-700) and the total is 16-18 O/U in those games. The team did finish its last homestand with a 6-1 record and are 20-2 over their last 22 games at U.S. Cellular Field. “We are playing good baseball all over,” said reliever Matt Thornton. Chicago has compiled a dominating 35-12 record since June 9, helping to erase a 9.5 game deficit in the divisional race in the process. It must not be lost that the White Sox are just an even 25-25 on the road this season (+390) and 96-118 away from Chicago the last three years (-1,080).
Continue reading “Tuesday MLB Preview – White Sox at Tigers”
Detroit fell 5-4 in the second game of a three-game set in Boston, as the team is now 11-9 versus the AL East division this season. The Tigers were unable to hold a 4-0 lead that was created with the help of first baseman Miguel Cabrera’s 26th home run of the year. The bullpen came into Saturday’s contest with a 20-11 record and 3.57 ERA through the club’s first 102 games. With yesterday’s loss, the team is now 24-19 in day games (+330) with the total being 17-23 O/U in those contests. Detroit is 10-7 when playing on Sunday during the current campaign (+290) and 39-30 over the last three seasons (+470). In those games, the offense has produced 4.5 runs per game and hit for a combined .270 mark, which is just a point lower than the team’s season average (.271).
Detroit has lost 13 of its last 16 games and has fallen into third place in the AL Central race. “We’re in emergency mode,” manager Jim Leyland said after Thursday’s loss in Tampa. “When I say that, I’m saying we just have to fight our tails off every day.” This three-game series at Fenway will cap an 11-game stretch against the AL East foes for the club. The Tigers are currently 2-6 in that span and 10-8 against the division this season. Detroit may find itself as a +225 to +250 road underdog for just the second time in three years, while they are a dismal 16-33 overall away from Comerica Park (-1,750). The team has lost 22 of its last 30 games in Boston and has dropped 10 straight overall on the road.
Detroit will look avoid its first 10-game losing streak away from home since it ended the 2005 campaign in that fashion. The club has dropped 12 of its last 15 games overall. One good thing going for the Tigers is the fact that the Rays have never swept them in a four-game series at Tropicana Field. Detroit is currently in a stretch of playing 11-straight games against AL East opponents, producing a 10-7 record versus the division so far this season. The Tigers have also managed to still win eight of their last 14 games in Tampa Bay despite dropping the first three games of this series. In 27 games against southpaw starters this year, the team is a solid 17-10 (+730) and the total is 15-12 O/U in those contests.
Detroit split a day-night doubleheder against the Blue Jays at Comerica Park on Sunday and now begin a seven-day road trip with the first game of four against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Tigers have won eight of the last 11 meetings versus the Rays dating back to September 25, 2008. The club has compiled a 10-4 mark against teams from the AL East division. Detroit hopes to turn things around starting with the series, losing nine of its last 12 games and falling two games behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central race. This may prove difficult considering the Tigers are 16-29 away from Comerica Park on the year (-1,350) and have averaged just 2.2 runs in losing six straight on the road. After playing 20 games this month, the Tigers have compiled an even 10-10 record in July (-190).
Texas has won 13 of its last 16 games on the road and snapped an 11-game losing streak in Detroit with an 8-6 victory. Outfielder Nelson Cruz’s 14th inning home run allowed the Rangers to win their fourth in five games and extend their lead to five games in the AL West. The club is 7-9 in July (-1,100), but still carry the league’s third-best overall record and fifth in the Majors. Despite Monday’s victory, it’s important to note the team has still been outscored 90-35 in its last 12 games at Comerica Park. The Rangers have been a road favorite of -125 to -150 just seven times this season (4-3, Even) and 15 times over the last three years (8-7, -130).
Texas had lost 11 of its last 14 games before this important series against the Boston Red Sox, including four straight to the Baltimore Orioles. The Rangers ended up taking three of four at Fenway Park with Sunday’s 4-2 victory. “We played well and we pitched well,” third baseman Michael Young said. The last few games, we’ve pitched especially well.” It doesn’t get any easier to start the week for the Rangers, heading to a place where they’ve lost 11 straight games. “It’s good to come back and take three of four here because we know our recent history in Detroit isn’t that good.”
Minnesota will be happy to leave Toronto and AL East opponents, dropping to 9-15 against the division with a 8-1 loss to the Blue Jays last night. “We know they are a home run hitting team and you have to make pitches,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “We didn’t make very many of them tonight.” The Twins continue their road trip and hope to improve upon its 19-10 divisional record (+440) against the Tigers. First baseman Justin Morneau hopes to return to the lineup after sitting out with a mild concussion due to getting kneed in the head on Wednesday night. “He wasn’t feeling very good. We’ll see how he does today,” Gardenhire said. The club has seen its games post a 5-1 O/U mark this month and 32-22 O/U the last three years in July.
