The Tigers had a winning record on the road last season at 41-40. They will try to start off this season with a road victory when they send their ace Tarik Skubal to the mound. He had a dominant 2023 campaign in which he finished with a 2.80 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. In his two starts against the White Sox, he allowed a total of two runs over 12 innings. The White Sox will roll with Garrett Crochet, who had a 1.97 WHIP over 13 relief appearances last season. He also has an underwhelming bullpen behind him, putting the Tigers in a favorable spot to earn a victory.

If Skubal stays healthy he will flirt with CY Young even if DET is middling. He's that good and his STATCAST stuff was even better post TJ. Played college ball in Pacific Northwest (MILB in West Michigan/Erie/Toledo) so he's plenty accustomed to pitching in the cold this time of year. DET lineup will ascend with Tork and Greene established (even if Javy stinks) and rookie Colt Keith will lengthen it. Not buying Crochet as a starter. Rushed to MLB in '20 in pen, never pitched more than 2 1/3 IP in MLB; has a bad pen and Frankenstein roster around him. Even with a solid start Sox have to baby him as he stretches out. Ride Skubal over K props till they surge (they will).