Detroit @ Chicago preview

Detroit at Chi. White Sox

Last Meeting ( Aug 13, 2013 ) Detroit 3, Chi. White Sox 4

The Detroit Tigers’ offense has been held in check of late, resulting in their worst stretch in more than a month. The American League Central leaders look to improve on their six-game division lead and avoid a three-game road sweep Wednesday at the hands of the Chicago White Sox. The Tigers average a league-high 5.1 runs and totaled 73 during a recent 12-game winning streak, but have seen that mark plummet to 4.2 while dropping four of five – their worst run since going 1-6 from June 25-July 1.

Detroit’s recent struggles are particularly surprising against the last-place White Sox, who had not registered consecutive wins against the Tigers in seven straight series before taking the first two games of this set. Since falling a season-worst 29 games under .500 following a three-game sweep at Detroit on August 4, Chicago is 6-3 during its 10-game homestand. The White Sox are trying to post their first three-game sweep of Detroit since April 4-6, 2008.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.32 ERA) vs. White Sox LH John Danks (2-9, 4.52)

Porcello recorded his second straight no-decision in Friday’s road loss to the New York Yankees after going 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA in July. The right-hander gave up three runs over five innings in the outing, but has been sharp during his unbeaten streak, allowing three runs or fewer in each start during that stretch. Porcello is 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA in three starts against Chicago this season, but 7-5 with a 4.22 ERA in 14 all-time outings against the White Sox.

Danks, winless over his last seven outings, set season highs in walks (five) and strikeouts (nine) while allowing three runs over six innings during a no-decision Friday against the Minnesota Twins. The left-hander has pitched at least six innings in his last nine starts, but has already yielded 21 home runs this season despite pitching only 95 2/3 innings. Six of those homers have come against the Tigers, against whom he is only 4-9 with a 5.42 ERA in 18 career starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit C Brayan Pena is batting .480 over his last six games, recording three three-hit efforts in that stretch.

2. If Danks had enough innings to qualify, his average of 1.97 homers per nine innings would rank as the second-highest mark in the majors.

3. The Tigers have managed only six runs over Porcello’s two August outings after scoring 33 in his four July starts.

PREDICTION: Tigers 6, White Sox 3