Chicago @ Detroit preview
Comerica Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 29, 2014 ) Chi. White Sox 11, Detroit 4
Jose Abreu hasn't had much trouble adjusting to major-league pitching -- except when he faces Max Scherzer. The majors' leading power hitter and the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner will square off when the visiting Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers continue a three-game series Wednesday. Abreu's three hits and four RBIs powered Chicago to an 11-4 win in the opener, knotting the season series at five games apiece.
Scherzer looks to continue his dominance of the White Sox, against whom he is 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA in three meetings this season, including a three-hit shutout June 12 in Chicago. He has held Abreu in check as the Cuban slugger is only 1-for-10 with three strikeouts against Scherzer. Abreu is riding an 18-game hitting streak -- the longest active streak in the majors and tied for the longest in the AL this season -- and has hit safely in 36 of his last 37 contests.
TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Hector Noesi (5-7, 4.99 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Max Scherzer (12-3, 3.37)
Noesi has won two straight starts and three of his last four after a strong performance at Minnesota on Thursday. The 27-year-old Dominican took a one-hitter into the eighth inning and wound up allowing two runs and three hits over 7 2/3 frames. Noesi is 1-1 with a 7.53 ERA in three starts against the Tigers with both decisions coming this season.
Scherzer is 4-0 with a 2.21 ERA over his last six starts since getting shelled for 10 runs June 17 against Kansas City. The 30-year-old piled up 11 strikeouts while beating the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, allowing three runs over seven innings. Scherzer is 11-5 with a 2.40 ERA in 21 starts against the White Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers slugger 1B Miguel Cabrera is 4-for-8 with two homers versus Noesi.
2. Chicago OF Dayan Viciedo is the one White Sox player who has hit Scherzer well, going 9-for-29 with six extra-base hits against him.
3. Detroit 3B Nick Castellanos (bruised right index finger) was a late scratch Tuesday and SS Eugenio Suarez (lower back tightness) left in the fourth inning. Both are considered day-to-day.
PREDICTION: Tigers 5, White Sox 3