Detroit Looks to Inch Closer to Cleveland in AL Central

Major League Baseball’s stretch run continues on Tuesday with an American League Central showdown between the visiting Chicago White Sox and the host Detroit Tigers. The current line has Detroit favored at -143, Chicago at +132 and the over/under run total on 10.

Entering this game, Chicago has a record of 51-54 overall and 23-30 on the road. The White Sox are 5-5 over their past 10 games played. Detroit entering this contest is 57-48 overall and 29-19 at home. The Tigers are 8-2 over their past 10 games played.

Chicago will send James Shields to the mound on Tuesday. The White Sox right-hander is 5-12 with an ERA of 4.68. Detroit will counter with Anibal Sanchez. The Tigers right-hander is 5-11 with an ERA of 6.56.

Shields has pitched very well since being shelled in his first three outings following his acquisition by the White Sox from San Diego. He stopped his losing streak of three starts by shutting out the Cubs over 7 1/3 innings allowing just 4 hits.

The White Sox continue dropping further out of the race for the playoffs. Chicago stood pat with its players at the trade deadline not trading ace Chris Sale like some thought it would. This game is the first of three against the Tigers, who are red hot.

Detroit has its own problems at pitching, with two starters now out on the disabled list, but has won six straight games and is ahead of a group pursuing the second and final wildcard spot held currently by Boston. Over his last five games, Miguel Cabrera has 4 homers and 9 RBIs for Detroit.

The Tigers have scored 45 runs over their six-game winning streak, with Melky Cabrera having four consecutive multiple hit games. Two pitchers that have 23 losses combined will start tonight in the opener of the series.

The Tigers are strapped for pitching and that means Sanchez has stayed in the rotation but is 0-3 during his past 4 outings allowing 19 runs during that span over only 20 innings.

Detroit this season versus Chicago is 6-4 including sweeping the White Sox at home during early June.

Chicago shortstop Tim Anderson has 5 hits in 10 at bats during his past two games following a run of 6-for-34 during the eight prior games.

Prediction: Detroit is riding a good wave at the moment, while Chicago is headed in the opposite direction. Lean towards the Tigers to take this one.