Chicago @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 10, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 5, Detroit 8

The Detroit Tigers seek another series win over the Chicago White Sox when the American League Central rivals square off Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park. After dropping the opener, Detroit recorded 15 hits in an 8-5 victory Wednesday night and improved to 32-12 against Chicago over the last 44 meetings. The Tigers have won each of the last four three-games series in the rivalry.

Detroit has won seven of its last nine games overall, all on the heels of a 1-6 slide. The surge, coupled with a slump by the Cleveland Indians, has the defending AL champion Tigers sitting 3 1/2 games up in the division. The White Sox have lost 19 of 26 and are a season high-tying 14 games out.

TV: 1:08 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet (Chicago), Fox Sports Detroit (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Chris Sale (5-8, 2.78 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (7-5, 2.70)

In large part because of some meager run support, Sale has not recorded a win since May 17. He is 0-6 in that stretch despite posting a solid 3.10 ERA and 62 strikeouts against just 10 walks in 49 1/3 innings. The White Sox average 2.56 runs of support for Sale, the lowest mark of any qualified starter in the majors. The lefty has yet to face the Tigers in 2013, but went 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA against them last year.

Sanchez will be making his first home start since June 4. He went on the disabled list soon thereafter and returned to action Saturday at Cleveland, limiting the Indians to one run in five innings. The 29-year-old is 5-1 with a 1.64 ERA at home, where he has lasted at least seven innings five out of six times. Sanchez has never faced the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder are a combined 2-for-20 with six strikeouts against Sale.

2. Chicago is 5-20 over its last 25 road games.

3. Detroit C Victor Martinez is 21-for-50 during a 12-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Tigers 4, White Sox 3