Chicago @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 16, 2011 ) Chi. White Sox 5, Detroit 0

THE STORY: The Chicago White Sox look to continue their climb into the American League Central race when they close out a three-game series at Detroit on Sunday. Chicago, which is third in the division four games behind Cleveland, knocked the Tigers out of first place with an 8-2 victory Friday and followed with a 5-0 triumph Saturday behind a complete game from Edwin Jackson. Carlos Quentin collected three hits for the second straight game, including a solo home run in the second inning.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Philip Humber (8-5, 3.10 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Brad Penny (6-6, 4.50).

Though his last start was easily his worst of the year (3 2/3 innings, 11 hits, six runs against Minnesota on July 7), Humber has been a fantastic surprise for the White Sox in 2011, going from spot starter to de facto ace in a matter of weeks. Humber has only 65 strikeouts in 107 1/3 innings, but he has been able to keep batters from getting on base (1.06 WHIP). Humber is 1-0 in two relief appearances against the Tigers, totaling 5 1/3 shutout innings. Detroit hitters are a combined 2-for-11 against him. Penny has been up and down all season, in large part because he relies so heavily on the Detroit defense - he has only 47 strikeouts in 110 innings. He got a win against the Los Angeles Angels on July 6 despite allowing four runs in 6 1/3 innings, but that was his first victory since a June 5 outing against the White Sox (5 1/3 IP, eight hits, three runs). His only other career start against Chicago came April 23, when he gave up only one hit in seven shutout innings. Penny has a 3.06 ERA at home this year.

ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (46-48): Quentin had gone without a home run since June 8 before getting his 19th of the year against Max Scherzer on Saturday. He has been an on-and-off presence in a Chicago lineup that has been carried by first baseman Paul Konerko, the team's leader in batting average (.318), home runs (22) and RBIs (68). On the mound, Jackson was outstanding Saturday, but it has been Humber and Mark Buehrle (6-5, 3.42) that have provided the most consistency.

ABOUT THE TIGERS (49-45): Detroit is hoping to avoid a repeat of last year's second half, when it lost the first six games after the All-Star break to begin a 6-21 free fall. The Tigers finished this year's up-and-down first half on top of the AL Central after winning four of their last five, but quickly relinquished that position by stumbling out of the break. Closer Jose Valverde is perfect in 24 save situations this year, allowing only one run in those games, but he has given up six runs while retiring only four hitters in two non-save outings this month (including a three-run ninth inning Saturday).

FINAL PITCH: The White Sox came into Saturday's game as the worst base-stealing team in the American League (37 in 69 attempts), but were 4-for-4 on Saturday.