Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox Prediction and Pick
Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox Prediction and Pick
Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox
Over/Under: 9
First Pitch: 6:40 p.m. ET
Probable Pitchers: Carlos Rodon (12-5, 2.38 ERA) vs. Matt Manning (4-6, 5.75 ERA)
Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox Prediction
Rodon would be a no-doubt candidate for this year’s American League Cy Young Award if he had enough starts under his belt this year. It can even be argued he’s produced better work this season than the likes of Gerrit Cole or Robbie Ray.
However, due to injury, Rodon’s been limited to 22 starts in 2021, though that’s still a large enough sample size to determine if someone has truly been dominant. There’s no debate for Rodon.
Look at these ranks among all AL starting pitchers if he registered enough assignments to officially qualify: first in ERA (2.38), first in WHIP (0.96), and first in batting average against (.197). Not to mention he possesses the league’s best strikeout rate with a whopping 12.63 K/9.
True, Rodon’s starts have been spaced out a little more lately to ensure he’s healthy for the postseason. But that’s proven to be a wise strategy, as the seventh-year southpaw continues to clock in and provide stellar work. Additionally, Rodon has generally excelled most throughout his career when starting on six or more days of rest (like tonight).
The former No. 3 overall draft pick has notched a 3.36 ERA and 10.6 K/9 in these particular outings, considerably besting the numbers he’s posted when starting after four or five days of rest. He’ll be in a favorable matchup, too, drawing an offense that logs a .730 team OPS against left-handed pitching to rank in the bottom third of the Majors. Rodon can dice them.
That would be nice because it also means extra room to work with for his counterpart, the rookie Manning, who is showing off arguably his best form now.
It’s fair to surmise that after Manning limited the opposition to one run in back-to-back starts coming into this evening for the first time in his bright young career. The last time out even involved his highest K total in a start (six) at this level (finally).
Such tendencies could be starting to arise. As I wrote about a few times already, Manning accumulated strikeouts at a healthy rate, and it’s only a matter of time until that sails true as a big leaguer.
Manning churning out a satisfactory performance may be a big difference.
Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox Pick
Leans
Orioles-Phillies Under 8Mariners-Athletics Under 8
2021 MLB Over/Under Betting Record*: “81-70-9,” +2.73 units
Yesterday’s Result: Pirates-Marlins Under 7 (“loss”)
*Each bet graded as if it were to win 1 unit