Tigers at White Sox
Two pitchers looking for better results in 2017 square off Wednesday when the Chicago White Sox host the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers took Tuesday's contest 6-3 after the scheduled opener was rained out on Monday.
Detroit will look to improve to 2-0 behind Jordan Zimmermann, who failed to win double-digit games last season and had an uncharacteristic 4.87 ERA while battling injuries for much of the campaign. “I think it was more about command than anything else,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told reporters Tuesday. “His stuff (in spring training) was good because his mechanics were back to where they were a few years ago.” The White Sox will turn to James Shields, who split last season between San Diego and Chicago and lost a combined 19 games with a 5.85 ERA. The veteran right-hander was able to "work out a few kinks" in the bullpen earlier this month in preparation for what he hopes is a better season in 2017.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, CSN Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (2016: 9-7, 4.87 ERA) vs. White Sox RH James Shields (2016: 6-19, 5.84)
Zimmermann's first season with Detroit was a disappointment as virtually every one of his numbers was a personal worst since 2011. He actually fared well on the road, recording a 2.63 ERA in eight starts, although his lone start in Chicago was a seven-inning stint in which he gave up six runs (four earned). Right-handed hitters batted .309 against Zimmermann, while White Sox designated hitter Cody Asche is 7-for-18 lifetime against him.
Shields had won double-digit games every season since 2007 before completely falling apart last season, when his WHIP was 1.60 and he struck out 81 fewer hitters than the previous season in the same number of starts (33). He made four starts against Detroit, going 0-2 with a 6.55 ERA and a .333 opponents' batting average. Miguel Cabrera (.375 in 64 at-bats) has had terrific success against Shields, while Ian Kinsler homered four times against him in 61 at-bats.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers OF Justin Upton left the opener with a bruised knee that is not "long-term," according to Ausmus.
2. Tigers LHP Kyle Ryan will not be available Wednesday as he expects to be on paternity leave until Friday.
3. Asche and SS Tim Anderson each struck out three times for the White Sox on Tuesday.