Detroit @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2010 ) Detroit 9, Chi. White Sox 2
The Chicago White Sox were overwhelmed by a streaking Max Scherzer on Friday night. Now, all they have to do is defeat the red-hot Justin Verlander on Saturday.
Chicago was dominated by Scherzer, who allowed just two hits – both homers – over eight innings with 11 strikeouts in Detroit's 9-2 victory. About the only positive Friday night for Chicago was Manny Ramirez’s first home run with his new team, snapping the longest drought of his career.
After starting the season 1-4 with a 7.29 ERA in his first eight outings and being sent to the minors for two weeks, the 26-year-old Scherzer has gone 10-6 with an exceptional 2.38 ERA and 147 strikeouts in 141 innings over 21 starts.
The White Sox, who are nine games behind the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central, will have a tall order in the form of Verlander (16-8, 3.48 ERA).
One positive? Well, at least Verlander isn't pitching at home.
The 27-year-old set a Comerica Park record with his 11th home win when he struck out 11 Baltimore Orioles over eight innings on Sunday in a 6-2 victory. He was charged with two runs and five hits. Verlander has just three losses and a 2.51 ERA in 15 starts in Detroit this season.
The three-time All-Star is 3-0 with a 2.19 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 37 innings over his last five outings. He has pitched seven-plus innings in 16 of his last 22 games.
Dating to 2006, the right-hander has an American League best-46 wins at home against just 20 losses. Verlander's 81 wins overall are most in the league during that period. His 928 strikeouts are second during that period and his 190 this season rank fourth.
Verlander is the first member of the Tigers since Frank Tanana from 1985-89 to post double-digit wins in five straight seasons.
Chicago rookie Lucas Harrell (1-0, 4.50) will take the mound for the fifth time and third start of his career.
When he allowed one run over six innings on July 31 against the Oakland Athletics, the 25-year-old became the first White Sox pitcher to win his big league debut since Kip Wells in 1999.
Harrell was rewarded for his efforts by being sent back to the minors, but he was recalled in September.
After two relief outings, including an appearance in which he yielded four unearned runs and six hits in four frames to Detroit on Sept. 7, the fourth-round pick from 2005 returned to the rotation on Sunday and was lit up by Kansas City. The right-hander was tagged for six runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings.
Harrell was 10-10 with a 4.58 ERA in 26 starts at Triple-A Charlotte this season.