Detroit @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 28, 2019 ) Detroit 4, Chi. White Sox 3

With only one month in which it posted double-digit wins and the worst record in the major leagues, there hasn't been much for the Detroit Tigers to feel good about in 2019. The Tigers were able to split a doubleheader with the Chicago White Sox on Saturday and will try to conclude their dismal season with consecutive victories for only the third time since the All-Star break when they visit the White Sox on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game series.

Chicago's Reynaldo Lopez worked eight strong innings against the majors' lowest-scoring team en route to a 7-1 victory in the first game of Saturday's twinbill and Detroit appeared to be on the verge of another weak offensive effort until John Hicks belted a go-ahead, three-run blast in the ninth inning of the nightcap for a 4-3 win. Despite the doubleheader split, the White Sox have won 11 of the 17 meetings this season between a pair of American League Central rivals who have fallen on hard times in recent years. However, Chicago (71-89) is poised to make a 10-game improvement over last season with a triumph on Sunday, winning six of its last nine contests. The Tigers (47-113), who are 22-52 against their division rivals in 2019, are guaranteed to finish with the second-worst record in club history.

TV: 3:15 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Spencer Turnbull (3-16, 4.59 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Ross Detwiler (3-5, 6.85)

Turnbull has dropped 12 consecutive decisions and is winless since May 31, although he has allowed only three runs over 11 innings in his last two starts after posting a 6.75 ERA across the first 15 turns of his skid. The Alabama product, whose three wins this season all have come on the road, took a hard-luck loss Tuesday against Minnesota after permitting two runs over six frames. Turnbull settled for a no-decision in his only career start against the White Sox on Aug. 5, when he yielded two runs over three innings.

Chicago is opting to go with a bullpen day to finish the season and will turn to Detwiler to make the start after he got his first victory since Aug. 22 following five innings of three-run ball against Cleveland on Wednesday. The native of St. Louis is 3-10 with a 6.10 ERA in 11 turns (0-0, 9.95 in six relief appearances) and 3-2 with a 4.71 ERA at home this season (0-3, 10.88 on the road). Detwiler settled for a no-decision against Detroit on July 3 after yielding four runs - two earned - over six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. With a victory on Sunday, the White Sox will finish 37-36 inside the division, which would be the team's first winning mark against the AL Central since 2012.

2. Detroit DH Miguel Cabrera hit a solo homer in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, leaving him two RBIs shy of tying Cal Ripken Jr. (1,695) for 25th place on the all-time list.

3. Chicago SS Tim Anderson owns a majors-best .337 batting average heading into Sunday's season finale.

PREDICTION: White Sox 3, Tigers 2