Detroit @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 26, 2018 ) Chi. White Sox 7, Detroit 2

The Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers both are far removed from the postseason race, but that doesn't mean they've given up. Both teams will be trying to continue a recent run of strong play when the Tigers visit the White Sox on Monday afternoon for the opener of their three-game series.

Detroit and Chicago both are 27 games under .500 but took on the two best teams in the major leagues over the weekend and acquitted themselves quite well, with the Tigers splitting a four-game road set against the New York Yankees and the White Sox splitting four at home with Boston. Chicago shut down baseball's best offense in an 8-0 victory on Sunday and are winners of seven of their last 10 - a stretch that began with three consecutive triumphs over Detroit. The three losses to the White Sox kicked off a string of five consecutive setbacks for the Tigers, who scored 11 runs in Sunday's win over New York - their highest amount since a 13-10 victory at Pittsburgh on April 25. Detroit will try to keep that offense going against Chicago's Reynaldo Lopez while countering with Michael Fulmer.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (3-10, 4.71 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (5-9, 4.51)

Fulmer was solid in 4 2/3 scoreless innings against Chicago on Aug. 24 after coming off the disabled list but could not find the same rhythm on Wednesday. The 25-year-old was ripped for seven runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 frames at Kansas City, leaving him winless since June 14. Fulmer was victorious in Chicago on April 7, when he scattered six hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings.

Lopez recorded his first win since July 1 by holding the Yankees to one run and five hits over seven innings on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Dominican did not factor in the decision in any of his previous five turns despite allowing fewer than three earned runs in three of those outings. Lopez is making his sixth start of the season against Detroit after goingt 0-1 with a 3.23 ERA in the first five meetings.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox RF Avisail Garcia (knee) sat out Sunday and is day-to-day.

2. Detroit rookie RF Victor Reyes recorded his first four-hit performance on Sunday with two doubles, a single and a home run in five at-bats.

3. Chicago C Welington Castillo (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day disabled list, a stint that followed an 80-game suspension for using a PED.

PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Tigers 4