Chicago @ Detroit preview
Comerica Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 3, 2010 ) Chi. White Sox 1, Detroit 7
The Chicago White Sox’s biggest move at the trade deadline was acquiring Edwin Jackson from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for highly touted right hander Daniel Hudson and minor league left-hander David Holmberg.
Some people questioned whether the White Sox gave up too much to acquire a pitcher with 5.16 ERA in the National League, but how well Jackson does in a Chicago uniform will ultimately decide if it was a lopsided deal or not.
Jackson makes his first start with the White Sox on Wednesday night, facing Detroit Tigers right-hander Armando Galarraga in the third game of a four-game series.
Jackson and Galarraga have both made headlines this season. Jackson threw a 149-pitch no-hitter against the Rays on June 25. And Galarraga was robbed of a perfect game on June 2 after a questionable umpiring call on what would have been out No. 27.
Regardless of those feats, Jackson is set to face his 2009 team when he takes the hill for the first time in White Sox uniform. In his last start with the Diamondbacks on July 28, Jackson went five innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing five runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts.
In fact, since throwing the no-hitter, Jackson has struggled, giving up four or more runs in five starts. He has been charged with losses in his last four starts.
Jackson has faced the Tigers five times in his career, including three starts, going 2-0 with a 3.42 ERA. He beat Detroit earlier this season in interleague play, earning the victory after going 7 2/3 innings and allowing four runs - three earned - on nine hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
Offensively, the White Sox had two contrasting performances in Tuesday’s doubleheader split. In the first game, the bats came to life en route to a 12-2 victory. In Game 2, the White Sox managed only one run on a solo home run from Paul Konerko.
Juan Pierre was the star in Game 1, belting his first home run of the season and finishing with two RBIs. Alexei Ramirez, Gordon Beckham and Alex Rios also had two RBIs.
The Tigers, meanwhile, are counting on Galarraga to hold the White Sox offense in check.
In his last start against the Boston Red Sox, Galarraga went only 4 2/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Galarraga left the game early after taking a line drive off his right ankle.
Lifetime against the White Sox, Galarraga is 1-2 with a 4.78 ERA in six games, including four starts.
Offensively, the Tigers bounced back in Game 2 of Tuesday’s doubleheader after struggling in the first game.
Brennan Boesch paced the Tigers with two RBIs, including a run-scoring ground-rule double in the second inning. Johnny Damon and Alex Avila also had RBI doubles.