Tigers at White Sox
After stumbling against the Kansas City Royals, the Chicago White Sox will try to salvage a five-game homestand when they welcome the Detroit Tigers for a two-game set. The White Sox managed one run in getting pounded by the Royals, 15-1, on Saturday and Sunday. The Tigers leaned on ace Justin Verlander on Sunday to gain a split of a four-game set at Oakland. That victory brought Detroit back to .500.
The Tigers have a chance to get on a roll over, with the lowly Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates coming up after the Cubs and an AL Central showdown at Cleveland looming next week. The White Sox have dropped eight of their last 12 and have to have some questions about the bullpen after allowing eight runs in the final three innings Sunday. Highly touted rookie Addison Reed had not allowed a run until Sunday, when he was lit up for six in one-third of an inning.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSD (Detroit), CSN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Drew Smyly (1-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. White Sox LH John Danks (2-4, 5.89 ERA)
Smyly has allowed one or no runs in five of six starts to begin his career. The 22-year-old has settled nicely into the rotation and has struck out 34 batters in as many innings. Smyly’s lone start allowing more than one run came against Chicago on May 4, when he surrendered two on seven hits while striking out seven in six innings. He did not factor in the decision.
Danks spent most of the first month getting roughed up but put together his best effort last time out, holding Cleveland to two runs on five hits in seven innings. The veteran left-hander has stuck out only one batter in each of his last two starts and has 26 punchouts against 19 walks. Danks is 4-7 with a 5.04 ERA in his career against the Tigers but has limited Miguel Cabrera to 7-for-28 (.250) with one RBI.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cabrera went 9-for-18 with seven RBIs in the four-game set at Oakland.
2. Chicago LH Matt Thornton has allowed at least one run in four of his last five appearances.
3. White Sox 1B Paul Konerko has recorded at least one hit in all six games against the Tigers this season.