PREMIUM
3-Game MLB SWEEPER PASS
(MLB) Detroit vs. Chi White Sox,
Total: 9.50 | -105.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 9.50 | -105.00 Over
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Tigers and White Sox were scheduled to open the 2017 season with a three-game series in Chicago. However, the teams have been rained out on Monday and Wednesday, sandwiched around a 6-3 win by Detroit in Tuesday's contest. Thursday's conditions may be only marginally better than yesterday but the teams will try to get in one more in their scheduled three-game season-opening series.
The pitching matchup: The Tigers will send lefty Matthew Boyd (6-5 & 4.53 ERA in 2016) to the hill up against Chicago's James Shields. Shields split last season between San Diego and Chicago, going 6-19 with a 5.85 ERA. The two teams were 9-24 in his 33 starts and his moneyline mark of minus-$1403 was better than only Ervin Santana (minus-$1450) and Chris Archer (minus-$1553). So much for the moniker, "Big Game James!" He's been forced to wait two extra days for his initial shot at redemption. The veteran right-hander says that he has been able to "work out a few kinks" in the bullpen earlier this month, as he expects (hopes?) to have a better season in 2017. Could it get any worse? Detroit originally planned to start Jordan Zimmermann on Wednesday but instead will give the ball to Matthew Boyd, who notched a 2.10 ERA in 25 2/3 spring innings. "This spring I've grown as a pitcher," said Boyd and he's hoping for better results against the White Sox than in previous starts (Boyd is 0-1 with a 5.04 ERA in four starts, as his teams are 1-3).
The set-up: Shields completely fell apart last season, when his WHIP was 1.60 and he struck out 81 fewer hitters than the previous season in the same number of starts (33). However, he had won double-digit games every season since 2007 before last year's implosion. In fact, Shields leads all major-league pitchers with 330 starts and 2,169 innings pitched since 2007. He is also fourth in that span with 208 quality starts and sixth with 1,873 strikeouts. He's no Kershaw but he's WAAAY better than he showed last season. Make the Under a 10* play.
The pitching matchup: The Tigers will send lefty Matthew Boyd (6-5 & 4.53 ERA in 2016) to the hill up against Chicago's James Shields. Shields split last season between San Diego and Chicago, going 6-19 with a 5.85 ERA. The two teams were 9-24 in his 33 starts and his moneyline mark of minus-$1403 was better than only Ervin Santana (minus-$1450) and Chris Archer (minus-$1553). So much for the moniker, "Big Game James!" He's been forced to wait two extra days for his initial shot at redemption. The veteran right-hander says that he has been able to "work out a few kinks" in the bullpen earlier this month, as he expects (hopes?) to have a better season in 2017. Could it get any worse? Detroit originally planned to start Jordan Zimmermann on Wednesday but instead will give the ball to Matthew Boyd, who notched a 2.10 ERA in 25 2/3 spring innings. "This spring I've grown as a pitcher," said Boyd and he's hoping for better results against the White Sox than in previous starts (Boyd is 0-1 with a 5.04 ERA in four starts, as his teams are 1-3).
The set-up: Shields completely fell apart last season, when his WHIP was 1.60 and he struck out 81 fewer hitters than the previous season in the same number of starts (33). However, he had won double-digit games every season since 2007 before last year's implosion. In fact, Shields leads all major-league pitchers with 330 starts and 2,169 innings pitched since 2007. He is also fourth in that span with 208 quality starts and sixth with 1,873 strikeouts. He's no Kershaw but he's WAAAY better than he showed last season. Make the Under a 10* play.
