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Despite pitching problems of their own, with a pair of
starters on the disabled list, the Tigers have ripped off six
consecutive victories to move to the front of a pack of pursuers
for the No. 2 wild card currently held down by Boston. Miguel
Cabrera has four homers and nine RBIs over the past five games
for Detroit, which has amassed 45 runs during the winning
streak. Melky Cabrera is 10-for-18 during a streak of four
straight multiple hits for the White Sox, who have dropped four
of five on the road trip. A pair of pitchers who have combined
for 23 losses this season -- Chicago's James Shields and
Detroit's Anibal Sanchez -- will square off in the series
opener.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH James Shields (5-12, 4.68 ERA)
vs. Tigers RH Anibal Sánchez (5-11, 6.56)
Shields has pitched well since he was shelled in the first three
starts after his acquisition from the San Diego Padres. He
halted a three-start losing streak by blanking the Chicago Cubs
on four hits over 7 2/3 innings and has permitted eight runs
over his last six turns. Miguel Cabrera is 22-for-60 against
Shields, who owns a 7-7 record and 4.30 ERA in 21 starts versus
Detroit.
The pitching-strapped Tigers have been forced to keep sending
out Sanchez, who is 0-3 over his last four starts and has
surrendered a combined 19 runs over 20 1/3 innings in that span.
He came away with a no-decision versus the White Sox in his last
appearance despite giving up four runs on 10 hits over six
innings. Melky Cabrera (15-for-34) and Jose Abreu (8-for-14)
have tormented Sanchez.
WALK-OFFS
1. Detroit is 6-4 this season against Chicago, including a
three-game sweep at home in early June.
2. White Sox SS Tim Anderson is 5-for-10 in his last two games
after going 6-for-34 in his previous eight contests.
3. Tigers DH Victor Martinez, a .332 lifetime hitter versus
Chicago, is 8-for-15 in his last four games overall.
PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Tigers 4
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