Tigers at White Sox (Game 1)
The Detroit Tigers are struggling to find a groove, having lost four of their last five games as they enter Friday's doubleheader against the host Chicago White Sox. Detroit began an eight-game road trip by dropping three of four to Houston and will hope to fare better in the four-game set at Chicago.
The bat of the slumping Justin Upton showed life in Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Astros as he went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs for the Tigers. Upton was hitless in 16 consecutive at-bats and batting just .173 this month prior to the awakening. Chicago suffered a three-game sweep in Arizona and will try to turn things around with a seven-game homestand. Jose Abreu recorded a four-hit performance in the finale against the Diamondbacks and is 13-for-28 with three homers and six RBIs during his six-game hitting streak.
TV: 5:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, CSN Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Buck Farmer (2016: 0-1, 4.60 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Mike Pelfrey (1-4, 4.85)
Farmer will be recalled as the 26th man to make his first start of the season after going 1-3 with a 4.12 ERA in nine turns at Triple-A Toledo. The 26-year-old hasn't fared well in eight previous major-league starts, compiling an 0-5 record and 9.17 ERA. Farmer, a fifth-round draft pick in 2013, has served up 16 homers in 79 major-league innings.
Pelfrey defeated Seattle in his last turn as he gave up one run and four hits over six innings. The 33-year-old had failed to last five frames in four of his first five starts before the sharp outing against the Mariners. Pelfrey is 3-5 with a 4.31 in 11 career turns versus the Tigers, including a no-decision on April 28 in which he gave up three runs and six hits.in 4 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The White Sox are 3-2 against the Tigers this season.
2. Struggling Detroit 3B Nicholas Castellanos (0-for-11, six strikeouts over his last three games) is expected to see action after being rested for two games.
3. Abreu has belted 10 homers, but none have come at home.