Detroit @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 4, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 2, Detroit 3
After dropping two of three contests over the weekend, the visiting Detroit Tigers look to vent their frustration on Monday as they open a three-game series against the struggling Chicago White Sox. Miguel Cabrera homered for the third straight contest, but the Tigers suffered a 5-4 setback to the New York Yankees on Sunday. Detroit, which took three of four from the White Sox two weeks ago and seven of 10 this season, holds a comfortable seven-game lead over Cleveland in the American League Central.
If one looks further down the division's standings, Chicago resides in the basement after dropping 17 of its last 21 contests. The reeling White Sox, who are a staggering 25 games behind the Tigers, gave up 11 homers en route to losing three of four against Minnesota this weekend. Left-hander Chris Sale will be charged with keeping Cabrera and the high-octane Tigers under wraps.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN (Detroit), CSN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Doug Fister (10-5, 3.50 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Chris Sale (7-11, 2.77)
Fister was denied in his bid to win his fifth straight start on Wednesday, settling for a no-decision after yielding two runs on six hits against Cleveland. The 29-year-old has been victorious in eight straight decisions - including a one-run, eight-inning gem versus Chicago on Aug. 2. Fister has permitted just six earned runs in his last five outings.
Sale snapped a three-game losing streak by allowing one run on five hits over 7 1/3 innings in a 3-2 win over the Yankees on Tuesday. The victory was just the second in 11 decisions for the 24-year-old All-Star, however. Sale fell to 2-4 lifetime against Detroit despite registering 11 strikeouts over eight frames in a 7-3 setback on July 22.
WALK-OFFS
1. While Cabrera is just 2-for-14 with four strikeouts against Sale, DH Victor Martinez is 7-for-12 versus the southpaw.
2. Chicago SS Alexei Ramirez, who is riding an eight-game hitting streak, is 6-for-19 (.316) with a pair of doubles against Fister.
3. Detroit C Brayan Pena went 5-for-8 with a home run against the Yankees.
PREDICTION: Tigers 7, White Sox 1