Detroit @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2013 ) Detroit 9, Chi. White Sox 1

Anibal Sanchez could be one of the front-runners for the American League Cy Young Award if not for the exploits of teammate and 19-game winner Max Scherzer. Sanchez will take aim at a career-high 14th victory when the Detroit Tigers visit the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in the finale of a three-game series. Prince Fielder and Alex Avila had four hits apiece as the Tigers snapped a three-game losing streak and opened a 5 1/2-game lead over Cleveland in the American League Central.

The White Sox are spiraling to the finish line, suffering their 10th loss in 12 games with a ragged performance that featured four errors - three by third baseman Conor Gillaspie. The string of miscues rattled Gillaspie, who had his third straight two-hit game to run his hitting streak to five games. "I can honesty say that’s probably the worst I’ve ever felt playing defense,” Gillaspie said. "I can't say that there's too many days where I'm kind of hoping, 'Hey I hope the ball doesn't get hit (to me).' "

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (13-7, 2.61 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Jose Quintana (7-6, 3.70)

Sanchez is riding a six-game win streak and has not lost since he was on the wrong end of a 1-0 decision on July 19 in Kansas City. He has beaten the Royals twice since that defeat, including last time out when he gave up one run over seven innings. The American League ERA leader, Sanchez has split a pair of career decisions against the White Sox, including tossing six scoreless innings on July 24.

Quintana was victimized by three solo homers in his last start, the only runs he allowed in a 3-1 loss to Baltimore. His previous outing was limited to one inning due to a lengthy rain delay but he still was saddled with the loss. Quintana pitched a season-high eight innings to beat the Tigers on July 9, giving up three runs in six innings to improve to 2-0 in three starts against Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. Sanchez is 5-5 away from home this season but he has yielded only seven runs in his last six road starts.

2. With 18 games left, Chicago has allowed 40 more unearned runs this season than it did in 2012.

3. Tigers SS Jhonny Peralta, who is serving a 50-game suspension, will begin working out with the club Wednesday. His suspension expires Sept. 27.

PREDICTION: Tigers 4, White Sox 2