@ Comerica Park
Game 1: Friday, July 24th, 1:05 PM ET.
Jose Contreras, RHP (4-8, 4.75) Vs. Justin Verlander, RHP (10-5, 3.34)
White Sox: Contreras had his shortest outing since returning from Triple-A Charlotte on June 8, as he lasted just 4 1/3 innings in a 10-2 loss against the Orioles on Sunday. He struggled with his command from the outset, walking four batters, hitting two more batters with pitches and throwing two wild pitches. In total, Contreras surrendered five runs (four earned) on five hits and struck out just one batter. He did not allow a run-scoring hit, as all runs scored occurred via a walk or wild pitch. Contreras faced Detroit on June 8 in his first game back from Triple-A, allowing no runs and one hit in eight innings of work. Lifetime against the Tigers, Contreras is 9-9 in 24 career starts with a 4.51 ERA.
Tigers: Verlander was nothing short of brilliant in his last start but was ultimately outdueled by the Yankees' CC Sabathia and lost, 2-1. The ace right-hander worked seven dominant innings, allowing just two runs with six strikeouts, utilizing his patented fastball that routinely approached triple digits. More impressive than his velocity, though, was the especially dazzling movement on virtually all of his pitches. Verlander has allowed just five earned runs in 20 innings over his last three starts.
Game 2: Saturday, July 24th, 7:05 PM ET.
Bartolo Colon, RHP (3-6, 4.23) Vs. Eddie Bonine, RHP (0-0, 9.00)
White Sox: Although the second starter has not been officially announced for Friday at Comerica Park, all signs point to Colon making his 12 start of the season. Colon has been bothered by inflammation in his left knee and has not been on the mound at the big league level since June 7 against Cleveland. Colon also has a 1-5 record in his last seven starts, but the burly right-hander has an 8-9 lifetime record against the Tigers. Colon has a 4-4 mark with a 6.23 ERA at Comerica Park.
Tigers: Bonine will be recalled from Triple-A Toledo between games to make his first start for the Tigers since last summer. The man with the nasty knuckler opened the season in Detroit's bullpen and gave up 16 hits over eight innings before being optioned out in late April. He missed time last month because of the passing of his mom, but has slowly worked his way back with a string of effective starts for the Mud Hens.
Game 3: Saturday, July 25th, 4:05 PM ET.
Gavin Floyd, RHP (8-6, 4.40) Vs. Edwin Jackson, RHP (7-5, 2.52)
White Sox: Floyd made three mistakes over seven solid innings during Monday's 4-3 victory over Tampa Bay at U.S. Cellular Field. It just so happened that all three mistakes went for home runs, including Carl Crawford's inside-the-park shot. But Floyd did not give up another hit on the night, striking out seven and walking two. Floyd has a 6-2 record with a 2.41 ERA over his last 11 starts and has a 4-1 mark with a 2.09 ERA over his last six starts. Floyd has a 1-0 record against the Tigers this season but has dominated Detroit during his career, posting a perfect 5-0 mark in 11 starts with a 3.55 ERA. He is 3-0 lifetime at Comerica Park.
Tigers: Jackson's 2-1 loss to the Yankees on Sunday in the Bronx pushed the All-Star right-hander into the cellar for least run support among American League starters. His ratio of 6.9 hits per nine innings remains the best among AL starters, helping his streak of five straight quality starts. Despite tossing seven innings of two-run ball against the Bronx Bombers, his five walks didn't help his cause. He walked four batters in five innings in his one start against the White Sox on June 11 at Chicago.
Game 4: Sunday, July 26th, 8:05 PM ET.
Clayton Richard, LHP (3-3, 5.00) Vs. Rick Porcello, RHP (9-6, 4.40)
White Sox: Richard threw a career best eight innings Tuesday against the Rays. He exited the game with a 2-1 lead but didn't earn the win after Bobby Jenks blew his third save of the season in the ninth inning. The one run Richard allowed was the fewest since shutting out the Brewers over five innings on June 20. Richard has made two appearances (one start) against the Tigers this season and has struggled. He's surrendered three runs on seven hits and five walks over five innings of work.
Tigers: Porcello showed the rust of nearly two weeks off when he took the mound Tuesday against the Mariners, giving up five runs over as many innings. He allowed nine hits and was inconsistent with his pitches. Sunday should be a much better barometer of his second-half form as he has a chance to get back into a routine between starts before he faces the White Sox for the first time in his career.
