Detroit @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 8, 2010 ) Detroit 7, Chi. White Sox 2
The fact that Freddy Garcia has pitched much better than expected is good news for the Chicago White Sox.
The fact that he leads the team in wins isn't exactly what anyone had in mind at the beginning of a season that is quickly turning into a disaster for the White Sox, who are fading away in the American League Central with little chance of getting back into the race.
Starting pitching depth was supposed to be the team's strength this season and was a major reason why Chicago was picked by many to win the division.
Mark Buehrle and Jake Peavy were thought to the aces of the staff with John Danks and Gavin Floyd close behind. It was assumed the rotation would be the backbone of the team and keep the White Sox in the race all season.
As for Garcia, no one would have been surprised if he had been sent packing by now, especially with top prospect Daniel Hudson waiting at Triple-A. Instead, the 33-year-old right-hander has the second-lowest ERA among the starters - even though it's pushing 5.00 - and has proven to be reliable for manager Ozzie Guillen.
Garcia (5-3) has won five of his last six starts, including two in a row in which he has beaten Tampa Bay and Texas, and allowed four earned runs in 14 innings. He has pitched at least six innings in eight of his 10 starts and has pitched seven innings five times.
Garcia goes for his sixth win tonight against Detroit. He defeated the Tigers on May 18, pitching six innings and allowing five hits and two runs.
Rick Porcello, who got the loss for Detroit in that game, has had no success in two career starts against the White Sox. He's 0-2 with a 6.57 ERA and will be making his first start at U.S. Cellular Field. Porcello had been pitching well until his last start against Cleveland, when he gave up six runs and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings in a no-decision.
Prior to getting knocked around by the Indians, the 21-year-old right-hander looked like the pitcher who was 14-9 as a rookie last season. Porcello allowed only eight earned runs in 26 1-3 innings in a stretch of four starts.
Keeping runners off the bases has been a big problem for Porcello. Opponents are batting .315 and he has allowed 81 hits in 61 2-3 innings.
The White Sox are 2-5 on this homestand that Guillen had hoped would get them back in the division race. Chicago dropped two of three to both Texas and Cleveland before giving up six runs in the seventh inning Tuesday night in a 7-2 loss to the Tigers.