The Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox begin a crucial three-game series in the American League Central race Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field
Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox
Detroit has taken control of the AL Central race by taking three of four in Minnesota over the weekend and now return home to face a team that is just 4.5 games back in the standings. The Tigers used a big third inning to drop the Twins in a 5-2 win at Target Field Sunday afternoon. “It was a good win for us,” commented Tigers manager Jim Leyland. “We got some big hits. To take three out of four, that’s not easy to do.” The club has dominated divisional foes this year, entering this series with a 22-11 record. That number could improve by the middle of this week, as the Tigers have won 14 of the last 18 meetings with today’s opponent. Detroit is 20-11 versus left-handed starters and 26-19 when playing teams with a losing record.
Tigers starting pitcher Duane Below will be making his second career start, as he was handed a no-decision in a 7-5 home loss versus the Athletics. The left-hander allowed three runs (one earned) and five hits over five frames in the effort. He tossed 77 pitches in the outing and bounced back nicely after losing some velocity in the middle frames. “It made me nervous because he dropped a little bit in velocity at one point, but he picked back up again,” Leyland stated. Below will be facing the White Sox for the first time in his career.
Chicago may be two games below .500 for the year, but the clubhouse has never felt better after a 4-2 road victory over the Indians Sunday. The White Sox benefited from numerous mistakes made by the Indians and certainly nobody is complaining. “I don’t think we have had many breaks like that,” said designated hitter Adam Dunn. “I can’t think of one time this year when we had something like that go our way.” The club has now posted a 38-29 record since May 7, the fifth-best record in the AL over that span, moving within striking distance of tonight’s opponent. Pitching has been key for the squad since the All-Star break, as the staff has posted a 1.87 ERA. The bullpen has enjoyed an even longer amount of success, recording a 0.99 ERA over the last 21 games. Chicago is 13-13 versus left-handed starters and 21-25 at home this year.
White Sox starting pitcher Mark Buehrle is 7-5 with a 3.38 ERA in 19 starts this season and has led the club to five consecutive victories. He is coming off a 5-2 road win over the Royals, allowing two runs and five hits over seven strong innings. The veteran left-hander is a solid 4-1 with a 2.47 ERA in nine home outings, issuing just 11 walks in 62 innings. In 32 career appearances (31 starts) versus the Tigers, Buehrle has collected a 17-9 mark and 3.22 ERA, including a 6-4 win at U.S. Cellular Field on June 3. He allowed three runs and 10 hits over six frames in that contest.
Bettors will likely back the Tigers due to their 13-3 record on the road versus left-handed starters, while the White Sox are 1-5 as a home favorite
