Tigers vs. White Sox (August 13): Surging Giolito set for third straight successful start?

Hello, and welcome to another episode of “Will I Ever Learn?” featuring me and the Chicago White Sox, this time featuring the Detroit Tigers as the opposition.

Not to give away where this is going, but if you have visited this space during this MLB season, you know that I have an unhealthy relationship with betting on the Chicago White Sox.

Despite the number of times that this extremely talented but extremely frustrating team has made a mockery of my faith, I have backed them time and again.

When will I finally give up? Will today be the day?

Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Detroit Tigers (43-71, 17-38 away, 5th in the AL Central) vs. Chicago White Sox (57-56, 26-29 home, 3rd in the AL Central)
• Venue & Location: Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago, Illinois)
• Date: Saturday, August 13, 2022
• Game Time: 7:10 p.m. Eastern Time (6:10 p.m. local time)

Tigers vs. White Sox Pitching Matchup

• Detroit Tigers: Matt Manning (2022: 4 starts, 0-0, 2.25 ERA)
• Chicago White Sox: Lucas Giolito (2022: 20 starts, 8-6, 4.91 ERA)

Tigers vs. White Sox Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from other top legal online sports betting sites may also be featured in this article.

Moneyline

• Detroit Tigers +168
• Chicago White -200

Over/Under

• Over 8 (-108)
• Under 8 (-112)

Run Line

• Detroit Tigers +1.5 (-120)
• Chicago White Sox -1.5 (+100)

Giolito Seeks Third Straight Win

There are several sources of frustration when it comes to the White Sox, who still remain within striking distance in the AL Central and AL wild-card races despite the rollercoaster ride their season has been.

But one of the biggest is Giolito, who was expected to be a serious contender for the AL Cy Young Award this season. He started 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA in his first seven starts and was one of the brighter spots of a so-so start for the White Sox.

Then his ERA went from 2.63 to 5.14 over the course of his next 11 starts, a period in which his record went from 3-1 to 6-6.

But are the clouds beginning to clear for Giolito? He picked up wins in his first two starts this month, and he pitched decently enough in both.

Against the Royals eleven days ago, he allowed two runs, five hits, and three walks and struck out seven in five innings. Then last time out, he allowed one run, six hits, and three walks and struck out five in a win at Texas last Sunday.

Two things stand out with those two starts ahead of today’s start against the Tigers.

One, he didn’t allow a home run in either one. He has allowed 18 homers this season, which is tied for seventh in the AL, and had allowed at least one homer in 12 of his previous 16 starts, so going consecutive starts without allowing one is notable.

Secondly, he has gotten excellent run support in back-to-back starts, which has not happened frequently this season. In fact, this is just the third time this season that the White Sox have scored 5+ runs in three consecutive Giolito starts.

Will the White Sox Defy Their Tendencies to Back Giolito?

Of course, the starting pitcher for their opposition is a guy who’s coming off of his best MLB start. Of course.

Last time out, Manning allowed four hits and three walks and struck out seven in seven shutout innings against the Rays last Sunday. There were no rewards for that effort though, as the Tigers allowed seven runs in the ninth in what had been a scoreless game for eight innings.

When Detroit last faced Giolito, they saddled him with a loss in a 7-5 win at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 8. Since then, the Tigers have won just seven of 31 games. In that span of time, they have been held to three or fewer runs 21 times.

Interestingly, last season, Detroit scored three or fewer runs only three times in Manning’s 18 starts. This season, they have equaled that number in just four starts.

Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox Prediction and Picks

Tigers vs. White Sox Prediction: White Sox to win

Tigers vs. White Sox Picks: White Sox -1.5 (Best Value: +104 at BetUS)

As has been stated before in this space, putting your faith in the White Sox to do anything positive is asking a lot.

But has that stopped me from backing them this season? Nope. Is it going to stop me from backing them today? Nope.

The White Sox are tied for fifth in MLB in one-run wins (20), but all eight of the games that they have won against the Tigers this season, all eight wins have come by 2+ runs.

There is a good chance the White Sox let me down for the 358th time this season, but does that possibility stop me from seeing the value in reason in backing them here? Absolutely not.

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