Chicago @ Detroit preview
Comerica Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 3, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 0, Detroit 3
Rick Porcello served as a thorn in the side of the Chicago White Sox in July and hopes to do so again Sunday as his Detroit Tigers look to complete a three-game home sweep. Porcello went 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA last month in large part because he had no problem handling the White Sox in wins on July 10 and July 23 – the latter of which contributed to the Tigers’ 11-1 mark over the last 12 games. Detroit, which has won seven in a row, has allowed one run or less in six of those contests.
While the Tigers have outscored their opponents 45-8 during their winning streak to maintain a three-game lead in the American League Central, the White Sox continued their free fall. Chicago has dropped 12 of its last 13 overall, a stretch that began with three consecutive losses to the Tigers from July 22-24. Saturday’s setback was the nine straight for the White Sox – their worst skid since Aug. 19-28, 1991 – while another loss would give them their first double-digit losing streak since 1976.
TV: 1:08 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Andre Rienzo (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.49)
Rienzo was sharp in his major-league debut, but settled for a no-decision in Tuesday’s 7-4 road loss to the Cleveland Indians after giving up three unearned runs on five hits and three walks over seven frames. The 25-year-old native of Brazil made his case to remain in the rotation when he filled in for Jake Peavy, who was later traded to the Boston Red Sox. Rienzo went 8-6 with a 4.06 ERA and three complete games at Triple-A Charlotte, striking out 113 over 113 innings.
The No. 27 overall selection in the 2007 draft, Porcello capped off a memorable month of July after yielding three runs and seven hits over six innings during last Sunday’s 12-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The right-hander has given up three or fewer runs in five straight turns and nine times over his last 11 outings, lowering his ERA from 6.28 in the process. Porcello dropped each of his first four career decisions against the White Sox, but has won seven of his last eight starts against them.
WALK-OFFS
1. Detroit is 37-14 – including 21-5 at home – against the White Sox since Sept. 7, 2010.
2. Chicago’s starters have a 2.87 ERA during the losing streak, but the offense has scored a total of 16 runs over that span.
3. The Tigers are 7-1 this season without 3B Miguel Cabrera, who sat out again Saturday as he continues to recover from a hip injury and abdominal strain.
PREDICTION: Tigers 5, White Sox 1