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White Sox-Tigers Preview

Jul 25, 2009 - 4:09 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Chicago (50-45) at Detroit (49-44), 4:10 p.m. EDT

The first-place Detroit Tigers are in position to put a little more distance between themselves and their closest pursuer in the AL Central.

Coming off a doubleheader sweep of the Chicago White Sox, the Tigers look for some rare success against Gavin Floyd on Saturday in the continuation of a four-game series at Comerica Park.

The division rivals entered this set tied atop the Central. However, after winning the opener 5-1 and rallying for a 4-3 victory in the nightcap Friday, Detroit (51-44) now has a two-game lead and could increase it to four with a sweep this weekend.

"Every game is big for us right now," Detroit's Carlos Guillen said. "We've got to play hard every day, not just against the White Sox. We have to stay focused and be consistent."

The Tigers are 6-4 this season versus the White Sox (50-47), who couldn't carry over the momentum from Mark Buehrle's perfect game against Tampa Bay on Thursday.

"Momentum matters the least in our sport," Chicago first baseman Paul Konerko said.

Placido Polanco had three hits with two RBIs in the opener for the Tigers, who rallied from a 3-1 deficit and scored the winning run on a bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning of the finale.

Having the versatile Guillen back after missing more then 2 1/2 months with a sore shoulder could provide a spark for Detroit. He went 3 for 7 on Friday and homered in the second game.

"I don't want to put it on one guy," manager Jim Leyland told the Tigers' official Web site. "I think we need more consistency throughout the lineup."

Guillen, a lifetime .329 hitter versus the White Sox, is 7 for 20 (.350) with a homer against Floyd (8-6, 4.40 ERA), who's never lost to the Tigers.

Floyd is 5-0 with a 3.55 ERA in 11 starts against the Tigers - including 3-0 in five appearances at Comerica.

This season, the right-hander is 1-0 in two starts versus Detroit. Floyd allowed a run in eight innings, but didn't factor in the decision of a 4-3 win over the Tigers on June 11.

Floyd is 5-1 with a 2.74 ERA in his last nine starts overall after giving up three hits - all homers - and striking out seven in seven innings of a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay on Monday.

"I believe in my abilities and I'm trying to feed off each start," Floyd told the White Sox official Web site.

Edwin Jackson (7-5, 2.52) allowed two runs and walked four in five innings while opposing Floyd in June. The Tigers' right-hander, who's 1-2 with a 5.93 ERA in five starts versus Chicago, is coming off another frustrating defeat.

He allowed two runs and five hits while matching a season high with five walks in seven innings of a 2-1 loss to the New York Yankees on Sunday.

Jackson continues to be plagued by a lack of support. The 3.4 runs Detroit is averaging in games he's started is among the lowest received by any starter in the majors.

Jim Thome - 7 for 10 with two home runs and 10 RBIs against Jackson - hit his 17th homer in the second game for Chicago, but is 1 for 15 in his last five contests.

Jermaine Dye added a two-run shot for the White Sox in the nightcap. He is 4 for 26 (.154) in his last seven games.