Detroit @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2012 ) Detroit 1, Chi. White Sox 6

Winning the opener against the Detroit Tigers guaranteed the Chicago White Sox that they will have at least a share of the American League Central Division when the four-game series concludes Thursday. But after ending a string of seven straight losses to the Tigers on Monday, the White Sox have a chance to open up some ground on their slumping rival. Chicago handed Detroit its fourth consecutive defeat to extend its lead atop the division to three games.

The Tigers continue to flail away at the plate and have produced only six runs during their four-game skid. They have dropped six of seven, scoring two runs or fewer in each defeat. Omar Infante has one RBI since Aug. 21 and was dropped from second to eighth in the batting order, and Andy Dirks is mired in a 2-for-21 slump. Even Miguel Cabrera is only 5-for-25 with two extra-base hits (both homers) in the last seven games.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, CS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Doug Fister (8-8, 3.54 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Jake Peavy (10-10, 3.22)

Fister turned in a strong effort last time out, limiting the Cleveland Indians to one run on four hits in seven innings. He was uncharacteristically wild in his previous start against the White Sox, walking a season-high four and lasting only five innings, but did not factor in the decision. Fister is 0-2 with a 3.52 ERA in five career starts against the White Sox. He has not been able to get out Chicago's Alex Rios (7-for-11) very often.

Peavy rebounded from a rocky outing against the Tigers to hold the Minnesota Twins to one on five hits in six innings last time out. He surrendered six runs on two homers and four walks in six innings in a loss at Detroit on Aug. 31. Peavy will be making his sixth start against the Tigers this season, having gone 1-2 with a 5.79 ERA. Cabrera is 8-for 16 with two homers and six RBIs against him this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox C A.J. Pierzynski hit his 26th homer Monday, tying Carlton Fisk for the second-most homers in a season by a Chicago catcher.

2. Fister was tagged for a career-worst 14 hits by the White Sox as a member of the Seattle Mariners on May 7, 2011.

3. Peavy's only wins in his last 17 starts have come against Minnesota (three) and Toronto (one).