Tigers at White Sox
The Detroit Tigers have managed to avoid an immediate hangover following a season-ending injury to Miguel Cabrera, winning both games since their slugging first baseman ruptured a biceps tendon on Tuesday. The Tigers will get a truer test of how life will be without Cabrera when they kick off an eight-game road trip at the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.
JaCoby Jones belted a tiebreaking two-run homer that was the difference in Thursday's 3-1 victory over Minnesota after Detroit rallied with four runs in the eighth inning for a 5-2 victory on Wednesday. John Hicks went 4-for-8, including his first career triple, in his first two games subbing for Cabrera, who underwent surgery Thursday to repair the biceps. Although the White Sox have been in or near the basement of the American League Central all season, they have been playing better of late, putting together a four-series unbeaten streak this month. Jose Abreu hit a two-run homer in Thursday's 5-2 loss for Chicago, which has dropped five of six to the Tigers this season.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Mike Fiers (5-3, 4.01 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Reynaldo López (2-4, 3.26)
Fiers had to settle for a no-decision last time out despite limiting the Cleveland Indians to one run on five hits while setting season highs with eight strikeouts over seven innings. He's permitted only four runs over his last three starts but was tagged for four runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on May 25. Fiers blanked Chicago on three hits over six innings in his season debut.
With the exception of a clunker at Cleveland on May 30, when he was drilled for seven runs in 2 2/3 innings, Lopez has been on a tear with four quality starts over his last five trips to the mound. He won at Boston last time out, allowing two runs (one earned) across 6 1/3 innings. Lopez also limited the Tigers to two runs over seven innings in a no-decision on May 25 and pitched seven innings of one-run ball in a 1-0 loss to Detroit on April 8.
WALK-OFFS
1. Detroit has the second-fewest road wins in the majors at 10-20.
2. White Sox LF Charlie Tilson is 7-for-15 during a five-game hitting streak.
3. Hicks has hit safely in four straight games and six of his last seven.