• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Tigers-White Sox Preview

Jun 11, 2009 - 6:26 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Detroit (33-26) at Chicago (27-33), 2:05 p.m. EDT

The Detroit Tigers haven't been too impressive at the plate to begin a season-high 11-game road trip. Fortunately for them, the Chicago White Sox have been even worse.

The Tigers look to take four of five from the White Sox this week when the teams close their series at U.S. Cellular Field on Thursday.

Detroit (33-26) had struggled on a six-game homestand prior to arriving in Chicago, dropping the first four before winning the final two against the Los Angeles Angels. Despite struggling offensively in this series, the Tigers, who also will go to Pittsburgh and St. Louis on this trip, appear to have caught the White Sox at the right time.

They have won the last two games of this series after splitting a doubleheader Monday despite batting .192 with 28 strikeouts in the four games, and slugger Miguel Cabrera has gone 2 for 16.

It hasn't mattered, though, as the White Sox wrap up what has been a disastrous 12-game homestand. Chicago lost 2-1 on Wednesday - dropping to 3-8 in that span - and have scored 34 runs while batting .209 and averaging 6.1 strikeouts.

Paul Konerko, who left Wednesday's game in the eighth inning with a jammed thumb, is hitting .211 (8 for 38) and will be reevaluated prior to the game. Jim Thome helped the White Sox avoid their fourth shutout on the homestand with his 552nd homer as Justin Verlander struck out nine while throwing a six-hitter for his seventh consecutive victory.

"These guys have had my number for three years, so it was very nice to come in here and throw a good game," said Verlander, who got his first win in 10 tries in Chicago.

The White Sox need a win to avoid finishing with their most losses on a single homestand since going 3-11 on one Aug. 27-Sept. 9, 1981.

Chicago's offense, though, may not fare better against Edwin Jackson (6-3, 2.16 ERA), who has the second-lowest ERA in the AL.

After pitching eight scoreless innings against Baltimore on May 31, Jackson threw a four-hitter in beating the Angels 2-1 on Saturday for his fifth win in six starts. He has a 1.39 ERA in that span, giving up seven earned runs in 45 1-3 innings.

"That kid has always had a great arm, but he found another gear tonight," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Jackson is 1-2 with a 6.45 ERA in four starts against the White Sox.

Gavin Floyd (4-5, 5.35) will try to improve to 6-0 against the Tigers as he counters for Chicago.

Floyd is 5-0 with a 3.88 ERA in 10 starts against Detroit, and the White Sox are 9-1 in those outings. He struggled against the Tigers on April 13, but was backed by plenty of offense. The right-hander allowed six runs and issued a career high-tying seven walks over five innings, but Chicago went on to win 10-6.

Floyd is 2-1 with a 1.82 ERA in his last four starts overall. He gave up one earned run in 6 2-3 innings against Cleveland on Saturday in a 4-2 victory.