The Chicago White Sox (72-58) and Detroit Tigers (69-61) will begin an important American League Central series on Friday night at Comerica Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers 

Chicago dropped three of four against the Baltimore Orioles, including a 5-3 setback on Thursday, as the club now focuses on a series with its biggest division rival.  “There’s nothing that will be won or lost this weekend,” commented White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko.  The White Sox are hitting .216 and managed to score just 22 runs in losing six of seven games away from the Windy City.  Chicago is 52-38 against right-handed starters this year, with the “under” going 46-40 in that situation.

White Sox starting pitcher Jake Peavy (9-9, 3.09 ERA) didn’t earn a decision in a 9-8 home win over the Seattle Mariners in his last outing, giving up two runs and seven hits over seven frames.  The right-hander is 4-6 with a 3.02 ERA in 13 road outings, surrendering 10 home runs in 92.1 combined innings.  In nine career games versus the Tigers, Peavy has compiled an even 3-3 record and 4.37 ERA, with opposing hitters batting .237 against him.

Detroit was swept for the first time since May 22-24 after coming up short in a 2-1 road decision to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.  “We just didn’t get the big hit with runners on,” commented Tigers outfielder Brennan Boesch.  That statistic definitely tells the story when you lose all three games of a series by a one-run margin.  The last time these two teams met, the Tigers came away with a three-game sweep from July 20-22.  Detroit is 6-10 at home when the total is 8 to 8.5, with the “under” going 9-7 in that situation.

Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister (7-8, 3.67 ERA) has watched the club alternate wins and losses over his last four outings, coming off a 7-5 home loss to the Baltimore Orioles, allowing seven runs and eight hits over 3.2 innings.  The right-hander is 4-3 with a 4.10 ERA in nine home starts, issuing 14 walks and striking out 46 batters in 52.2 combined frames.  In four career appearances versus the White Sox, Fister has tallied an 0-2 record and 3.51 ERA.

Sports bettors will likely back the Tigers due to their 26-9 mark in the last 35 meetings in this series, while the White So are 1-5 in Peavy’s last six outings in the series.

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