Detroit @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 28, 2019 ) Detroit 1, Chi. White Sox 7

The Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers have been out of playoff contention for a while, so it's only appropriate their final series of the season is struggling to get off the ground. The White Sox will attempt to host a doubleheader to begin a three-game series against the Tigers for the second straight day Saturday after Friday's scheduled twin bill got rained out.

Jose Abreu opens the final weekend of the season with an American League-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 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: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Tyler Alexander (1-4, 4.99 ERA) vs. White Sox Ivan Nova (11-12, 4.80)

Alexander matched his season high by giving up 10 hits last Saturday against the White Sox while allowing three runs in the setback. The Illinois native recorded his first major-league victory in the previous outing, limiting Baltimore to one run and four hits over six innings Sept. 16 - the first time he lasted that long since July 21. 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.

Nova remained 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. The 32-year-old has managed to go 2-1 despite a 7.45 ERA in five September turns, giving up a total of 16 runs and 35 hits in 19 1/3 innings. Cabrera is 7-for-27 with two doubles, a homer and four RBIs while Dawel Lugo is 3-for-5 versus Nova, who is 2-0 with a 3.72 ERA in three starts against Detroit this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The initial doubleheader was scheduled due to a rainout on July 2. With both teams so far out of contention, Major League Baseball decided not to schedule four games in two days, meaning both teams will only play 161 games.

2. Jimenez (ear-throat infection) and OF/2B Leury Garcia (shoulder) both missed Thursday’s contest but were in the lineup Friday.

3. Lugo is 10-for-20 during his five-game hitting streak and 9-for-20 in five games.

PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Tigers 4