The Chicago White Sox are the favorite of people who bet on MLB today in the opening game of a four-game series versus the Detroit Tigers at the US Cellular Field. Here are the baseball betting odds:
Tigers +1½ (-175) 10½ (-105) +110
White Sox -1½ (+155) 10½ (-115) -120
The White Sox returned somewhat rusty from the All Star break, and were swept 0-3 by the Angels of Anaheim. Chicago lost that series by a combined margin of 15 runs – in fact they only managed to score one against the Angels. And while they proceeded to lose the following series versus the Seattle Mariners, at least they showed signs of improvement, winning one game and losing the other two by a single run.
The White Sox even went to extra innings last night at Safeco Field, and it was a home run by Leonys Martin in the 11th that allowed Seattle to get their second walk-off win of the series. Chicago’s Todd Frazier hit a homer for the third consecutive game – his 28th of the season – but it was to no avail; the White Sox lost their sixth game out of the last seven and are now 46-48.
The Tigers have had sort of the opposite story after the All Star break. They won a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals, neither struggling nor dominating. Then they went on to win one over the Minnesota Twins 1-0 and lost the next two 6-2 and 1-4. That might justify Detroit’s underdog status this evening in the eyes of fans who bet on MLB. Yesterday at Comerica Park, the Tigers and the Twins went toe to toe until the ninth, went Minnesota’s Max Kepler and Eddie Rosario both hit homeruns – the latter a two-run shot to give Detroit pitcher Francisco Rodriguez his fifth loss of the season.
The Tigers will start right-hander Mike Pelfrey (2-9) today. The 32 year old lost to the White Sox 3-5 on June 15th; he allowed four runs in six innings but did not surrender any home runs – this could be meaningful today when temperatures are expected to reach the 90s. Pitchers will be compelled to keep the ball down in a field where fly balls have a tendency to carry when the heat is on. Detroit and Chicago had 13 combine home runs at this very ballpark on July 2nd, 2002, a day that registered 93 degrees.
Pelfrey has said that his job remains the same regardless of the weather, but people who bet on MLB will nevertheless want to keep that fact in mind. Meanwhile, James Shields (4-11) will take the mound for the White Sox. The right-handed pitcher allowed three runs in 15 2/3 inning in his last two starts. However, both were losses for the 34 year old. Shields surrendered seven runs (six earned) on nine hits in five innings with four walks and a strikeout versus Detroit on June 13th at Chicago. He has a 1.91 ERA in his previous four starts.