Chicago @ Detroit preview
Comerica Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 5, 2011 ) Detroit 7, Chi. White Sox 3
THE STORY: The first-place Detroit Tigers will look to build on their slim lead in the American League Central when they open a three-game home series against the Chicago White Sox on Friday. The Tigers are just one half-game up on the Cleveland Indians for division supremacy, while Chicago is five games back in third place. Detroit has won five of six against Chicago this season, sweeping three home games in April.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Comcast Sports (Chicago), Fox Sports (Detroit)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Gavin Floyd (6-9, 4.59 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (12-4, 2.15 ERA)
Floyd has been struggling since the end of May, going 0-4 in his last six starts. He was pounded in a July 8 loss by the Minnesota Twins, surrendering seven runs on nine hits in just 3 2/3 innings. In 14 career starts against Detroit, Floyd has posted a 5-1 mark with a 3.51 ERA. The Tigers are batting a combined .281 against him, with outfielder Ryan Raburn (12-for-29) and shortstop Jhonny Peralta (9-for-24, two homers, seven RBIs) doing the most damage.
Verlander has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball over the last two-and-a-half months, going 10-1 since the end of April and allowing just six earned runs in his last 72 innings. He is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA against the White Sox this season, giving up five runs in 15 innings while striking out 15 and walking one. Verlander has dominated Chicago All-Star 1B Paul Konerko, who is just 5-for-41 (.122) against him with 12 strikeouts.
ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (44-48): Chicago has struggled to get consistent production throughout the year from most of its roster, but it has been able to count on a pair of veteran mainstays and a surprising youngster. Konerko has carried the offense, ranking among the American League leaders in batting average (.319), home runs (22) and RBIs (67). On the mound, lefthander Mark Buehrle (6-5, 3.42 ERA) has righted the ship after a rough April, while righthander Philip Humber (8-5, 3.10 ERA), an early injury fill-in, has become the team's steadiest starter.
ABOUT THE TIGERS (49-43): After an early-June surge helped it jump into first place, Detroit has gone stride for stride with Cleveland but has failed to build any sort of commanding lead. The Tigers are just 6-7 in their last 13 games despite three dominating starts from Verlander, largely because the rest of the pitching staff has struggled. Detroit has allowed 79 runs in the last 10 games not started by Verlander. The talented hurler has 19 quality starts, but the Tigers' other starters have combined for just 33.
FINAL PITCH: Neither team has been prolific on the basepaths — Detroit's 34 steals rank last in the American League, while Chicago is last in the league in stolen-base percentage (37 of 69).