Chicago White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers – MLB, July 2nd, 2021

The Chicago White Sox look to further distance themselves from the Cleveland Indians on Friday as they warm up for a division series with the Detroit Tigers.

Lance Lynn (7-3, 2.06 ERA) gets the ball and makes Chicago a clear favorite to keep the winning going into the weekend. On the other side is Casey Mize (5-4, 3.46), who has been one of the few bright spots for the struggling Tigers.

It’s a fun rivalry showdown, but who wins, and how should you bet? Find out in Friday’s White Sox vs. Tigers betting pick and prediction.

Chicago makes total sense as the favorites. They are nearing 50 wins, they’re the class of the AL Central, and they have the look of a potential title threat.

Chicago has been on a nice little tear as of late, but they’re just 17-18 on the road in 2021. On the other side, Detroit offers pretty nice value as +144 home dogs, but their offense will be tough to trust here.

Detroit has gone just 19-21 at home this year, and their lineup has a legit challenge in trying to get any runs against Lynn. Chicago’s offense could also easily get to Mize.

The total is interesting, as this park can give way to some offense, and Mize is still a little rough around the edges. Given the power involved, the Over actually isn’t something bettors should easily dismiss.

Lynn has once again been sensational this year. He’s missing bats at a 27% rate, he isn’t walking batters, and he’s preventing runs.

He’s given up some hard contact (and 8 HR), but those have been spaced out nicely. I find a hard time seeing this being the spot where he gives up a handful and gets slammed.

Houston put Lynn through a meat grinder a few games ago but took that game away, allowing seven runs in his other nine previous starts.

Lynn is traditionally had against lefties, and the Tigers don’t have a ton that strikes fear into your heart.

Mize has been rock solid for a weak Tigers team, but he has more of a homer problem than Lynn and hasn’t been amazing (0-2, 4.15 ERA) against Chicago this year.

I think it’s possible he does enough to keep the game close, but bettors need to consider the likelihood of Detroit getting to Lynn and Mize shutting down a very dangerous Chicago offense.

I think the Over is a little sneaky here. Lynn doesn’t give opposing lineups much, but this is a road game, and Detroit has been pesky at times this year.

Combine that with Mize’s long ball issues, the park, and Chicago’s offensive upside (8th in runs scored), and nine runs isn’t that crazy to hope for.

That’s the secondary bet in this game, though. The main bet is Chicago at -156, and I’d hammer it as soon as possible. It’s probably only going to grow from here, after all.

Chicago isn’t elite on the road, but they have the edge in this matchup no matter how you look at it. Their pitching and offense are too good to be priced like this against a beatable rival.