Detroit @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2013 ) Detroit 6, Chi. White Sox 2

Victor Martinez is batting .416 with 14 RBIs in July to help the Detroit Tigers reach a season-high 11 games over .500 after three straight wins. Martinez looks to stay hot as the Tigers (55-44) visit the struggling Chicago White Sox on Wednesday for the third of a four-game series. Reigning American League MVP Miguel Cabrera is day-to-day with a sore left hip flexor, but the Tigers have showcased a deep offense that has produced 499 runs – second in the majors to Boston.

The White Sox continue to hurt themselves with poor defense, committing seven errors in the last two games. Chicago has surrendered 48 unearned runs in 2013 after allowing 30 all of last season. “You just can’t play like that and expect to be in the game,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura told reporters after a 6-2 defeat Tuesday. “You give them that many opportunities and you’re going to pay for it.”

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (7-7, 2.85 ERA) vs. White Sox LH John Danks (2-7, 4.52)

Sanchez allowed one run and four hits over six innings Friday against Kansas City before losing his second straight. The right-hander gave up a grand slam to rookie catcher Josh Phegley in his previous start to drop a 6-3 decision in his first career outing against the White Sox. Sanchez has surrendered only five homers in 98 innings with 114 strikeouts.

Danks owns only one victory from his last seven starts, giving up two runs or fewer once in that span. The left-hander is 4-7 in 16 career starts – none this season – with a 5.36 ERA against Detroit and Austin Jackson is 10-for-25 with two homers against him. Danks has not hurt himself with walks, issuing eight in 69 2/3 innings, but has yielded 14 homers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 1B/DH Adam Dunn has 430 career home runs, one shy of tying Cal Ripken for 43rd on the all-time list.

2. Detroit 2B Jhonny Peralta has recorded at least two hits in five of his last eight contests.

3. White Sox 2B Gordon Beckham - batting .325 - has missed the last three days with a sore left wrist and is expected to swing the bat Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Tigers 6, White Sox 3