MLB Picks: Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox

The Detroit Tigers (53-44) and Chicago White Sox (39-56) will open up a four-game American League Central series Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET

Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox

The Detroit Tigers are 3-9 on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 this season

Detroit dropped two of three games against the Kansas City Royals in its first series after the MLB All-Star break, but the club did come away with a 4-1 road victory Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total of 8. The Tigers bullpen tossed 7.1 scoreless innings for the series on three hits with eight strikeouts, as they continue to make a push towards the playoffs. “We’re not as bad as people put us,” commented Tigers reliever Joaquin Benoit about the bullpen. Detroit is 3-9 on the road with a money line of -100 to -125, with the UNDER going 7-4-1 in that situation.

Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (13-1, 3.19 ERA) suffered his first loss of the season last time out, as he ended up on the losing end of a 7-1 decision at home to the Texas Rangers, allowing four runs and eight hits over six frames. The right-hander is 5-0 with a 2.20 ERA in nine road games, with opposing hitters batting .177 against him. In 13 career appearances versus the White Sox, Scherzer is 5-4 with a 2.51 ERA, including a 2-1 mark and 2.90 ERA in five efforts in 2012.

Chicago won back-to-back games over the Atlanta Braves, including a 3-1 victory as +113 home underdogs Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total of 8.5. The White Sox may have a hard time putting something together offensively in this affair, with shortstop Alexei Ramirez and outfielder Alex Rios being a combined 6 for 54 in their careers against Scherzer. Chicago is 6-8 as a home underdogs of +100 to +125 this season, with the UNDER going 9-5 in those 14 opportunities.

White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (6-8, 2.85 ERA) earned a 6-3 road victory over the Tigers on July 11, as he allowed three runs and 10 hits over 6.2 innings of work. The left-hander is 3-2 with a 2.50 ERA in seven home appearances, with opposing hitters batting .175 against him. In 14 career games (four starts) in this divisional rivalry, Sale has tallied a 2-3 record and 4.35 ERA.