Tigers at White Sox (Game 2)
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 losing 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: 8:40 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, CSN Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (2-4, 5.36 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Tyler Danish (2016: 0-0, 10.80)
Boyd has dropped three of his last four starts and is winless in his last six outings. The 26-year-old lost to Texas in his last turn as he gave up four runs and a season-worst 12 hits over 5 1/3 innings. Boyd is 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in two starts against the White Sox this season, has gone 0-2 with a 5.90 ERA in six career outings and has served up two homers to both Abreu (6-for-12) and Avisail Garcia (6-for-13).
Danish, a second-round draft pick in 2013, is being recalled to make the start. The 22-year-old is 1-3 with a 3.15 ERA in eight turns at Triple-A Charlotte and has recorded just 23 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings. Danish appeared in three games with the White Sox as a reliever last season and gave up two runs, six hits and three walks in just 1 2/3 frames.
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 home runs, but none have come at home.