Tigers at White Sox
The Detroit Tigers can establish their longest winning streak of the season and move within a game of .500 for the first time since April 25 when they go for a three-game sweep of the host Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers have won all four games since losing slugger Miguel Cabrera to a season-ending biceps injury.
Nicholas Castellanos entered the series in a 1-for-23 slide but he busted out in a big way Saturday, hitting a three-run homer and a two-run blast in Detroit's 7-5 victory. Victor Martinez, who has hit safely in three straight games following a 4-for-31 tailspin, collected three hits Saturday at the Tigers improved to 6-1 against the White Sox this season. Rookie Charlie Tilson extended his hitting streak to seven games with a two-run single for Chicago, which lost its third in a row despite erasing a five-run deficit. The White Sox, who saw their four-series unbeaten streak snapped in Saturday's setback, send veteran James Shield to the mound to oppose Blaine Hardy in a pitching rematch from three weeks ago.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers Blaine Hardy (2-1, 3.55 ERA) vs. White Sox RH James Shields (2-7, 4.63)
This could be Hardy's final outing as a member of the starter rotation as he is scheduled to move back to the bullpen when Francisco Liriano returns from his rehab stint. He had another strong effort in a no-decision last time out versus Minnesota, giving up two runs on three hits while going at least six innings for the fourth straight time. Hardy beat Chicago with seven innings of one-run ball on May 27.
Shields ended a 2 1/2-month winless drought, earning his first victory since March 29 by limiting Cleveland to one run and four hits over seven innings on Tuesday. It marked the 10th straight start in which he pitched at least six innings, including a loss at Detroit on May 27 in which he gave up three runs in seven innings. Shields has pitched well at home, allowing 10 runs over his last five starts there.
WALK-OFFS
1. Castellanos is 12-for-35 against the White Sox this season.
2. Yolmer Sánchez had his majors-leading eighth triple, the first Chicago player with eight before the All-Star break since 1994 (Lance Johnson).
3. Tigers RHP Shane Greene has six strikeouts while recording saves in four straight days.