Chicago White Sox vs Detroit Tigers Prediction: A win expected for Tigers in this opener

Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet are slated to be the starting pitchers when the Detroit Tigers face the Chicago White Sox on Opening Day at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Tigers have been designated as the favorites on the moneyline for this matchup, while the White Sox are considered the underdogs.

During the previous year, the Chicago White Sox posted a team slugging percentage of .384 and averaged 3.96 runs per game, ranking 29th in the league. They recorded 264 doubles and drew 377 walks, resulting in a total of 641 runs scored. The team also hit 171 home runs and accumulated 617 RBIs. However, they struck out 1,424 times (12th in baseball) and managed 1,308 hits. With an on-base percentage of .291 and a team batting average of .238, the White Sox struggled offensively.

On the pitching side, the White Sox had a team WHIP of 1.416 and a FIP of 4.71. Their K/BB ratio stood at 9.20 (1,470 strikeouts against 654 walks). The pitching staff ranked 19th in baseball in total hits allowed, surrendering 1,372 hits. They also gave up 214 home runs and allowed an average of 5.29 runs per 9 innings, ranking 26th in the league. Overall, the White Sox's pitching staff conceded 841 runs with an ERA of 4.87 (774 earned runs).

The Detroit Tigers faced a challenging 2023 season, but considering their improvement from losing 96 games in 2022, they appear to be moving in the right direction. For the opening game, they rely on Tarik Skubal, who emerged as one of the team's bright spots last season. Skubal showcased his talent by allowing only 28 runs in 80.1 innings pitched while recording an impressive 102 strikeouts. His stellar statistics, including a .197 expected opponent batting average, a .290 expected opponent slugging percentage, and a 2.30 expected ERA, highlight his effectiveness on the mound. Opponents struggle to make contact against Skubal and find it challenging to drive in runs, establishing him as an ace whom the Tigers hope will propel them back into contention in the American League.

Heading into this game, the Detroit Tigers finished the previous season with a record of 78-84, extending their postseason drought, which is currently the longest in baseball, as they haven't made it since the 2014 season. Notably, the Tigers have an impressive record in day games against AL Central opponents, winning 13 of their last 14 matches. Additionally, they have covered the run line in each of their last five day games against American League opponents. Moreover, the Tigers have consistently performed well in road games against American League Central opponents, leading after 7 innings in each of their last eight matchups.

Despite it being the Chicago White Sox's home opener, the Detroit Tigers are poised to emerge victorious in this matchup. There's uncertainty surrounding Crochet's reliability, whereas Skubal was a standout performer for the Tigers last year. Additionally, doubts persist regarding the offensive prowess of the Chicago White Sox, suggesting that Skubal is poised to stifle them in this game. Expect the White Sox to score only two or three runs in total. Therefore, I recommend backing the Detroit Tigers on the money line for this game.