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Red-hot Tigers storm into Chicago

Sep 12, 2011 - 2:47 PM (Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers take aim at their 10th straight win this evening and even more important draw closer to their first division title in 24 years when they open a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

The Tigers' win streak reached nine over the weekend, as they swept a three- game set from the Minnesota Twins, taking Sunday's finale, 2-1, at Comerica Park.

Doug Fister continued to thrive since being acquired from Seattle and gave up three hits in seven innings to improve to 5-1 in eight starts with the Tigers. Jose Valverde then pitched himself out of trouble to pick up his club-record 43rd save.

"Everybody's playing well together and we're playing for one another," said Fister. "That's what good ballclubs do and that's what we're focused on."

Delmon Young drove in a run for the Tigers, who extended their lead in the AL Central to 10 1/2 games over the White Sox and their magic number for clinching the division now stands at seven.

Detroit, which hasn't won a division title since claiming the AL East in 1987, is in the midst of its longest winning streak since its world championship season of 1984 and hasn't won 10 straight since an 11-game run Sept. 9-21, 1968.

Hoping to continue that tear tonight will be right-hander Rick Porcello, who is 13-8 with a 4.87 earned run average. Porcello beat the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, holding them to a run and three hits in 6 1/3 innings.

The Tigers have won 10 of his last 12 starts, but Porcello is a mere 1-4 lifetime versus the White Sox with a 7.46 ERA in six starts.

Chicago, meanwhile, will counter with lefty John Danks, who has lost his last two starts. Danks was handled by Minnesota on Wednesday, as he surrendered five runs (four earned) and six hits in six innings, dropping him to 6-11 on the year to go along with a 4.09 ERA.

Danks was hit hard by the Tigers two starts ago to the tune of eight runs in 4 2/3 innings and is just 4-6 in 14 starts against them with a 4.59 ERA.

The Tigers swept the White Sox at the start of the month and are 10-5 against them this season, but just 3-3 in the Windy City.