Detroit Tigers (14-12) Armando Galarraga +102, 9 O/U at Chicago
White Sox (12-14) Mark Buehrle -112, 9 O/U, U.S. Cellular Field,
Chicago, Ill., 8:11 PM EST, Wednesday
by Badger of Predictem.com
Two teams that appear to be heading in opposite directions in the
American League Central will throw their most consistent pitchers at
each other tonight at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago when the Detroit
Tigers send right-hander Armando Galarraga out against White Sox
lefty Mark Buehrle.
The Tigers come into the start of tonights quick two-game set against the White Sox with some good momentum, winning three of their
last four games. Last night they tagged Minnesota starter Nick
Blackburn with nine runs in the first four innings and got seven
solid innings of four-hit pitching from Rick Porcello in their 9-0
victory over the Twins.
BET ON MLB GAMES AT REDUCED ODDS AT 5DIMES
The White Sox will be happy to get back home after a terrible road
trip. After taking the first game in Texas, the Sox have since lost
four straight including an embarrassing two-game sweep at the hands
of the resurgent Kansas City Royals the past two nights. Tuesday
night the White Sox pounded out 17 hits and jumped out to a four-run
lead early, but they were unable to hold off the Royals who came back
to win the game on a game-winning single by Joe Buck in the 11th
inning, 8-7.
Baseball oddsmakers opened the game with Buehrle and the White Sox as
slim -112 favorites on the moneyline, with the Tigers as just +102
underdogs. The over/under total is listed at 9 at just about every
sportsbook that has a total for this game on the board.
The White Sox are not only happy to be back at the Cell tonight,
but they should be happy to see Buehrle on the bump as well. The Sox
have won all five of his starts this season and the southpaw has gone
3-0 with a 3.30 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP and a low .323 opponents on-base
percentage.
Buehrles last three outings have been his best, as hes won all
three allowing just eight runs in 18.2 innings of work. He has been
getting knocked around a little (21 hits, 6 walks) but the veteran
always seems to wiggle of the hook when he has too. In his last start
Buehrle worked six strong frames allowing seven hits and three runs
in the White Sox 4-3 victory over Texas last Friday.
Buehrle has been solid in 25 career starts against the AL Central
rival Tigers, going 13-8 with a 2.98 ERA and a sub.300 on-base
percentage (.295). He does have his troubles with former teammate
Magglio Ordonez, as Ordonez is 15-for-28 (.536) lifetime against
Buehrle with two doubles and two homeruns. Placido Polanco has also
had good success against the Sox lefty, as he is hitting .414 in his
career (12-for-29).
Galarraga has been the opposite for the Tigers, as he has struggled
of late after rocketing off to a fast start. For the year he is 3-1
with a 3.07 ERA, a 1.40 WHIP and a .339 OBP, but in his last three
starts he has given up 18 hits, 11 walks and nine runs in just 16
innings. More importantly, the Tigers have lost two of those three
starts, including a 6-5 loss to Cleveland in his last outing when he
gave up five runs in five innings.
The one good thing the Tigers and Galarraga have going for them is
the rightys short history against the White Sox, as he was dominate
in his only career start against them back on April 15th. In that
game Galarraga threw 6.1 innings allowing just four hits and two
walks in the Tigers 6-0 shutout victory.
Since hes only pitched six innings against the Sox in his career
theres not much history to judge him on. Paul Konerko had a hit and
a walk in his three at bats in the earlier start this year, Jermaine
Dye also had a hit and a walk. For the season the Sox are scoring
just 4.42 runs per game (21st in MLB), but theyve only scored barely
over three runs a game during their four game slide (3.05).
The White Sox have had great success against the Tigers at home,
holding serve to the tune of a 7-1 record in their last eight games
head-to-head at the Cell. The under also has a strong betting trend,
as it has cashed in 19 of the last 28 games between the two in Chicago.
Badgers Pick: Galarraga should pitch with some renewed confidence tonight, as he knows he has done well against the Sox his first time
out. Buehrle should be strong as well, which is why Im going with
the under tonight. Plus it could be cool and rainy tonight as well.
Take the under of 9 tonight in a game that could be finished in under
two hours.