Detroit @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 22, 2019 ) Chi. White Sox 3, Detroit 6

The Chicago White Sox severely damaged American League Central rival Cleveland’s playoff hopes over the last two days and look to finish on a high note when they begin a four-game home series against the Detroit Tigers on Friday with a doubleheader, which could be threatened by inclement weather. The White Sox pounded out 14 hits in an 8-3 victory over the Indians on Wednesday before Daniel Palka launched his first two homers of the season in an 8-0 triumph the following day.

Jose Abreu opens the final series of the season with an AL-best 123 RBIs after going 2-for-5 and driving in one run on Thursday while Tim Anderson extended his hitting streak with 13 games and leads the majors with a .338 batting average. The Tigers finished their home slate with 59 losses, matching the major-league record set by the St. Louis Browns in 1939, after stranding 10 baserunners in Thursday’s 10-4 setback against AL Central champion Minnesota. Detroit has lost eight of its last nine games overall and embarks on the final road trip of the season with a slightly better record (24-53) away from home, including five consecutive defeats. Miguel Cabrera - batting .370 versus the White Sox in 2019 - enters the final series of the year tied with Stan Musial and Willie Stargell for 31st place on the all-time list with 475 homers, needs one double to tie Wade Boggs (578) for 22nd and is four RBIs shy of Cal Ripken Jr. (1,695) for 28th.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Tyler Alexander (1-4, 4.99 ERA) vs. White Sox TBD

Alexander matched his season high by giving up 10 hits last time out against the White Sox while allowing three runs in the setback. The 25-year-old native of Illinois recorded his first major-league victory in the previous outing, limiting Baltimore to one run and four hits over six innings on Sept. 16. Ryan Cordell is 2-for-4 with a pair of homers versus Alexander, who is 0-2 with a 5.93 ERA in three starts against the White Sox this year.

The White Sox did not immediately announce their starting pitchers for the doubleheader, but veteran right-hander Ivan Nova (11-12, 4.80 ERA) could get some innings in one of the games. Nova is unbeaten in his last four trips to the mound after winning at Detroit on Sept. 21 while permitting two runs and eight hits over five innings. Left-hander Manny Banuelos (3-4, 6.93) and righty Carson Fulmer (1-2, 6.26) also could be used.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit 3B Dawel Lugo has gone 10-for-20 during his five-game hitting streak and 9-for-20 in five contests against the White Sox this year.

2. Chicago LF Eloy Jimenez (ear-throat infection) and OF-2B Leury Garcia (shoulder) both missed Thursday’s game and are day-to-day.

3. Tigers SS Willi Castro is 7-for-21 with four extra-base hits and five runs over his last six games after batting .216 in his first 22 career contests.

PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Tigers 3