Tigers need to take advantage of Will Venable's questionable decision for White Sox opener

The White Sox are rolling in to face the Tigers after a no good, very bad day on the south side. In their series finale against the Reds, starter Davis Martin was ejected in the third inning after throwing at rookie Sal Stewart's head — twice — and causing benches to clear. Stewart was not the first nor last Red to be hit by a White Sox pitcher; Tyler Stephenson and Eugenio Suárez were also plunked.

Chicago's offense put up an admittedly valiant effort to come back from a 9-5 deficit by the sixth inning and ended up scoring three more runs, but Cincinnati eventually won out.

Thanks to two long relief appearances from Erick Fedde and Trevor Richards, the White Sox didn't have to exhaust their bullpen entirely, but it's still a questionable decision from manager Will Venable to stage a bullpen game for their opener in Detroit. Sean Newcomb, who has just one start this season, will get the ball on Friday evening.

Maybe the White Sox don't see this as a pivotal series for the AL Central, but the Tigers sure do. Jumping all over Newcomb in early innings should be their No. 1 priority.

White Sox to stage a bullpen game for opener vs Tigers during crucial AL Central weekend

Newcomb's one and only start of the season actually went swimmingly — a hitless three-inning outing. But if the Tigers can break out of their usual routine and ambush him early (unless a game has been a blowout, they've been far more prone to getting the offense going in later innings), Chicago is without two of their bulk guys in Fedde and Richards. Kick Newcomb out, and Venable will have to upend the bullpen just to keep arms on the mound.

Entering play on Friday, the Tigers are in sole possession of the final AL Wild Card spot, thanks to their victory over the Guardians, the Reds' over the White Sox, the Phillies' over the Twins, and the Angels' over the Rangers on Thursday.

The Tigers are not only one game under .500; if they sweep the White Sox, they could be leading the AL Central by the end of the day on Sunday.

The White Sox are coming into this game 4-6 over their last 10, and right off the back of a demoralizing, firework-filled loss at home. The Tigers are 7-3 and are clearly feeling themselves right now after their first series win against the Guardians this season. If there was ever a time to play out of their minds, it's right now.

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