21st Sept - Tigers vs White Sox

The battle for the AL Central’s wooden spoon could be decided this week as the division’s basement dwellers the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox go head-to-head in a mini-four game series. The two teams begin the series with a double header on Monday, check out our preview for the first game where Jeff Samardzija and Kyle Ryan go up against each other on the pitching mound.

The White Sox have lost four of their last six games, they’ve lost recent series to two other AL Central teams in the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins.

Samardzija needs to figure some things out. He owned an ERA of under four runs over the previous three seasons, but he’s struggled mightily over the course of this season. He’s now 9-13 with a 5.27 ERA in 2015-16 and gave up a career high 10 runs while failing to make it past the fourth inning in a 17-6 loss to the Oakland Athletics.

He goes up against a rookie in Ryan on Monday. It’s his first start since July 7, he hasn’t enjoyed too much success so far as a starter posting an 0-2 record and 6.08 ERA, though he hasn’t had a lot of run support either.

Three Reasons for Betting Tips

1. Bet on both tips

Take on both of the tips. We expect the rookie to put out a good outing and for the Tigers to win at home against a pitcher who will just want this season to end. Detroit are the slight underdogs, but we like the betting combination here with the safer alternate Game Total and higher return Money Line.

2. Runs are going to be scored

These aren’t bad offenses and this doesn’t figure to be a pitching duel. It might not be Monday’s highest scoring game, but our Alternate Game Total should be comfortably covered and even the Over 9.0 runs isn’t a poor bet.

3. Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez tee off

Detroit’s top two hitters haven’t made great contact with Samardzija this season, going a combined 3 for 20, but they are hitting the ball well right now and we fully expect them to do some damage in this match-up.