Chicago @ Detroit preview
Comerica Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 25, 2013 ) Detroit 4, Chi. White Sox 7
The Detroit Tigers are expected to welcome Miguel Cabrera back from injury Friday, but could be without fellow All-Star Jhonny Peralta as they begin a three-game home set against the Chicago White Sox. Cabrera has missed five of the team’s last eight games due to a hip injury and abdominal strain, but Detroit is still 7-1 over that stretch. However, Peralta is expected to receive a lengthy suspension from Major League Baseball in the coming days due to his connection to the Biogenesis clinic.
Newly-acquired Jose Iglesias was acquired from Boston Red Sox on Tuesday to protect the Tigers against the loss of Peralta, although Detroit may not require much help against the struggling White Sox. Chicago has dropped seven in a row to fall 21 games behind American League Central-leading Tigers and is 26 games under .500 (40-66) for the first time since 1980. Three of the White Sox’s four losses in their last series came when the Cleveland Indians scored the go-ahead or winning runs in their final at-bat.
TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Hector Santiago (3-6, 3.33 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Doug Fister (9-5, 3.67)
Despite holding opposing hitters to a .197 average and 2.78 ERA in five July outings, Santiago went 0-1 during the month. The left-hander did not factor into the decision and saw his winless streak extended to six starts during Sunday’s 4-2 home loss against the Kansas City Royals despite allowing two runs and five hits over 6 2/3 innings. Santiago’s one loss in July came in his first career start against the Tigers when he gave up six runs (three earned) over six frames on July 23.
Fister collected his third victory in as many outings during last Friday’s 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies after giving up an unearned run on three hits and a walk over eight innings. The lanky right-hander has posted a 1.35 ERA over his last three turns and can match his win total from last season with a victory on Friday. In seven career starts against the White Sox, Fister is 1-3 with a 3.89 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Tigers, who took three of four from Chicago on the road last week, will face the last-place White Sox 12 more times over their final 56 games.
2. Chicago scored a total of nine runs in Santiago’s five July starts.
3. Iglesias is 6-for-14 with two triples and three runs scored in four career games in Detroit.
PREDICTION: Tigers 7, White Sox 2