Every game matters now in the American League Central, where the Detroit Tigers held a one-game lead over the Cleveland Indians and 3.5-game lead over the Chicago White Sox through Monday. <\/p>\n
Bet On Baseball<\/a> \u2013 Tigers vs. White Sox Gambling Prediction<\/strong> Detroit Tigers (54-48 through July 25)<\/strong> That means every impact player on the Tigers\u2019 talented but shallow roster has to produce.<\/p>\n And that includes the enigmatic Max Scherzer. We all know how could this guy can be. He once struck out 14 batters in a five-inning start. But he\u2019s been a real rollercoaster for the Tigers this season. <\/p>\n During a seven-start stretch from May 31 to July 2, he got torched for five-plus runs four times.<\/p>\n But is Scherzer righting the ship? He\u2019s allowed two earned runs or fewer in three straight starts. Maybe his 2011 will mirror his 2010, when he had a 4.61 ERA before the All-Star break and a 2.47 ERA afterwards.<\/p>\n Chicago White Sox (50-51 through July 25)<\/strong> The Chicago White Sox are somehow very much alive in the weak AL Central and they have a golden opportunity at home to Detroit this week. <\/p>\n On Wednesday afternoon they\u2019ll turn to John Danks, whose 3.92 ERA doesn\u2019t fit his hard-luck 3-8 record.<\/p>\n Things are looking up for the lefty. He won his first start of the season on June 6 but hasn\u2019t lost since, allowing two or fewer runs in five straight outings. <\/p>\n Danks has pitched to contact more this season, seeing his opponents\u2019 average rise significantly but also cutting his walk rate. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Still waiting on that Adam Dunn turnaround? He likely won\u2019t be much help to Danks on Wednesday. Somehow, Dunn has been worse <\/em>since the All-Star break, hitting .154 in seven games since after posting a putrid .160 average in the first half.<\/p>\n Over is 6-1-1 in DET last 8 games following a win. Though Danks has been much better of late, he has just three wins over 12 career starts against the Tigers. The man simply cannot get Magglio Ordonez out. Mags bats .577 (15 for 26) with two homers and seven RBI all-time against Danks. <\/p>\n Victor Martinez has punished him for three long balls in 23 at-bats and Carlos Guillen bats .462 off him.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Scherzer has a 2.56 lifetime ERA with 44 strikeouts in 45.2 innings against the Pale Hose. <\/p>\n Based on the numbers, it appears a Tigers victory is in the cards for Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Wednesday, July 27, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, IL
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>FSD, CSN
\nDetroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox Betting Lines from BetOnline.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line:Sox -121 <\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 8.5<\/strong>
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\nMax Scherzer (11-5, 4.35)<\/p>\n
\nJohn Danks (3-8, 3.92)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nDET are 8-3 in their last 11 road games.
\nOver is 5-2-1 in DET last 8 overall.
\nUnder is 19-5-4 in CHW last 28 overall.
\nUnder is 19-5-4 in CHW last 28 on grass.
\nCHW are 2-6 in their last 8 home games.
\nOver is 7-1-1 in the last 9 meetings in Chicago.
\nDET are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings in Chicago.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n