Preview: Tigers at White Sox (Game 1)

[May 26, 2017]  Gracenote

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 dropping 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: 5:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Buck Farmer (2016: 0-1, 4.60 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Mike Pelfrey (1-4, 4.85)

Farmer will be recalled as the 26th man to make his first start of the season after going 1-3 with a 4.12 ERA in nine turns at Triple-A Toledo. The 26-year-old hasn't fared well in eight previous major-league starts, compiling an 0-5 record and 9.17 ERA. Farmer, a fifth-round draft pick in 2013, has served up 16 homers in 79 major-league innings.

Pelfrey defeated Seattle in his last turn as he gave up one run and four hits over six innings. The 33-year-old had failed to last five frames in four of his first five starts before the sharp outing against the Mariners. Pelfrey is 3-5 with a 4.31 in 11 career turns versus the Tigers, including a no-decision on April 28 in which he gave up three runs and six hits.in 4 2/3 innings.

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 homers, but none have come at home.

PREDICTION: White Sox 8, Tigers 5

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