The Chicago White Sox (72-60) and Detroit Tigers (71-61) will close out an important American League Central series at Comerica Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:05 ET on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers

Chicago has lost five of six games on its current road trip, suffering a 5-1 setback to Detroit on Saturday, which also served as the club’s sixth consecutive loss at this ballpark.  “Our team has been dialed in the past two days,” stated White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko.  “So you just have to pick yourself up.”  The White Sox are 1-11 in their last 12 at this venue, while going 3-17 in their last 20 tries in the Motor City.  Chicago is 7-4 on the road when the total is 7 or less.

White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (15-5, 2.81 ERA) has alternated wins and losses over his last four outings, suffering a 6-0 road loss to the Baltimore Orioles last time out, giving up four runs and six hits over four frames.  The left-hander is 7-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 13 road games (12 starts), surrendering eight home runs in 79.1 combined innings.  In 12 career appearances (two starts) versus the Tigers, Sale has registered a 1-2 record and 4.05 ERA, including a 7-1 setback at this ballpark on July 21.

Detroit has won 24 of its last 30 home games, with third baseman Miguel Cabrera leading the charge at the plate, batting .366 with 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in that span.  He has been tremendous in this year’s season series against the White Sox, coming into this affair with a .468 average, three round trippers and eight RBIs.  Detroit has tallied an impressive 16-5 record when playing on Sunday, with the “under” going 15-5 in that situation.

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (12-7, 2.80 ERA) is coming off one of his worst starts of the year, suffering a 9-8 road loss to the Kansas City Royals, allowing eight runs and 12 hits over 5.2 frames.  The right-hander is 6-2 with a 1.75 ERA in 12 home outings, with opposing hitters batting .178 against him.  In 26 career appearances versus the White Sox, Verlander has compiled a 13-10 record and 4.05 ERA, including a 1-0 mark and 2.25 ERA in a start this year.

Sports bettors will likely back the Tigers due to their 28-6 mark in Verlander’s last 34 Sunday starts, while the White Sox are 9-28 in the last 37 meetings in this series.

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