Chicago @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 4, 2010 ) Chi. White Sox 4, Detroit 1

With two months left in the season, the Detroit Tigers find themselves on the cusp of falling out of contention in the American League Central race.

After losing to the division-leading White Sox on Wednesday night, the Tigers are now a season-high eight games back as they host the finale of their four-game set with Chicago at Comerica Park.

The Tigers send right-hander Max Scherzer (7-8) to the hill. The White Sox will counter with right-hander Freddy Garcia (10-4).

Scherzer has pitched well of late, going 5-2 with a 2.18 ERA with 61 strikeouts over 57 2/3 innings in his past nine starts. Scherzer went 6 1/3 innings in his last start on Saturday against the Red Sox, allowing one run on nine hits with a walk and three strikeouts in a no-decision outing.

Scherzer faced the White Sox earlier this year on June 10, allowing three runs on five hits with a walk and seven strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings. The Tigers lost that game 3-0.

The Tigers struggled to convert their chances in Wednesday's 4-1 loss. They went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base.

After being held scoreless for the first seven innings, Detroit finally got on the board in the eighth when Brandon Inge singled home Miguel Cabrera.

Garcia, meanwhile, will look to continue his remarkable season after battling injuries the past few seasons.

Garcia has gone at least six innings in six of his last seven starts. He lasted six innings in his last outing against the Mariners on July 29, allowing three runs on seven hits with no walks and three strikeouts to lead the White Sox to a 9-5 victory.

Garcia is coming off his worst outing of the season. He lasted only 1 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts in what ended up being a 10-2 loss to the Athletics.

Garcia has faced Detroit more than any other team in his career. In 28 lifetime starts against the Tigers, Garcia is 18-6 with a 3.74 ERA, including two complete games.

Garcia last faced the Tigers on June 9 of this season, and led the White Sox to a 15-3 victory. He went seven innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with a walk and four strikeouts.