The Detroit Tigers will host the Chicago White Sox for the first of a three-game set on Friday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a White Sox-Tigers prediction and pick.

These two American League Central clubs will battle it out over the weekend. Chicago is currently leading the division and Detroit is 12 games behind them. This series features a tale of two stories as the White Sox are a club in baseball and the Tigers are far from it.

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the White Sox-Tigers odds.

MLB Odds: White Sox-Tigers Odds

Chicago White Sox -1.5 (-103)

Detroit Tigers +1.5 (-117)

Over 8.5 Runs (-104)

Under 8.5 Runs (-116)

Why The White Sox Could Cover The Spread

The White Sox are currently in first place in the American League Central and continue to roll on. Chicago has dealt with a number of key injuries, but it hasn't affected them much to this point. With several guys out of the lineup and the rotation, the White Sox are still 38-24 on the season.

Chicago currently possesses the fourth-best team batting average in the league at .253. They also have the 10th-best slugging percentage and have scored the fifth-most runs in the league with 304. Reigning AL MVP Jose Abreu is leading the way with 11 home runs and 48 RBI on the season. The pitching staff has been phenomenal as well with the third-fewest runs allowed in the majors.

The White Sox will send Lucas Giolito to the bump for the series opener. The right-hander is currently 5-5 with a 3.88 ERA and 87 strikeouts through his first 12 starts of the season. He will be making his second straight start against the Detroit Tigers. He was on the losing side of a 4-3 affair in Chicago last week. Although the White Sox are 5-7 in his last 12 starts, Giolito has posted an impressive 3.32 ERA in three career starts at Comerica Park.

Why The Tigers Could Cover The Spread

The Tigers have been a very underwhelming club this season. Their pitching staff hasn't been very good at all and their offense is one of the worst in baseball. The Tigers are in the middle of a rebuild that will certainly continue following this season.

The Tigers have scored just 236 runs this season, which is 27th in the majors. Detroit's team batting average is 25th in baseball at .228. They're currently 28th in on-base percentage and 25th in slugging percentage as well. They have hit just 65 home runs in the first 62 games, with Jonathan Schoop the only player in double digits.

The Tigers will turn to left-hander Tarik Skubal for the series opener. Skubal has been progressively improving this season despite his underwhelming numbers. The southpaw is 3-7 with a 4.33 ERA and 68 strikeouts through his first 12 starts of the season. Skubal set a career high with 11 strikeouts against the White Sox on Saturday and has four consecutive outings with at least eight strikeouts.

Final White Sox-Tigers Prediction & Pick

This matchup has been an under machine this season and I don't see that changing in this series opener. The under hit in three of the four games played between these clubs last weekend. Detroit's offense has been awful and Lucas Giolito pitches very well at Comerica Park. Chicago has been playing under ball lately because of the key injuries in their lineup. Tarik Skubal is slowly improving and should be able to mitigate damage in this start.

FINAL PICK: Under 8.5 Runs (-116)