(Sports Network) – The Detroit Tigers’ postseason chances have probably gone by the wayside. However, they will get a chance to play spoiler this week and open a four-game series with the playoff-hopeful Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park.
While the Tigers sit 12 games back of the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central, the White Sox are only 3 1/2 behind in the divisional race.
The White Sox won their sixth straight game on Sunday when Gordon Beckham and Juan Pierre drew the go-ahead and insurance bases-loaded walks, as Chicago staged a four- run ninth-inning rally to take a 7-5 decision over the Boston Red Sox in the finale of a three-game set from Fenway Park.
Carlos Quentin stroked a run-scoring double and Ramon Castro added an RBI single during the burst for the White Sox, who swept the set after taking both ends of a doubleheader on Saturday.
Scott Linebrink (3-1) allowed a run in the eighth but picked up the win. Matt Thornton turned in a scoreless ninth for his sixth save.
“This was a huge win for us,” said Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen. “Especially the way that we were losing the game. It just shows that this team never gives up and it was big.”
Heading to the hill for the White Sox this afternoon will be Edwin Jackson, who has gone 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA in five starts since arriving from Arizona on July 30.
Jackson, who pitched last season for the Tigers, defeated the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, holding them to three runs and seven hits in 8 2/3 innings to run his overall record on the year to 9-10 to go along with a 4.37 ERA.
This will be his third start against his former team since joining the White Sox and is a perfect 3-0 lifetime against the Tigers with a 2.63 ERA in seven games, five of which have been starts.
Getting the call for the Tigers today will be hard-throwing righty Max Scherzer, who is 3-0 in his last four starts. Scherzer did not get a decision on Wednesday in Minnesota, but was terrific, as he allowed a run and four hits in nine innings. He also struck out nine in his team’s 2-1 extra-inning loss.
Over his last nine starts Scherzer is 4-2 and has allowed three runs or less in each outing, surrendering one or less in seven of those games.
He did not get a decision the last time he faced the White Sox, and is 0-1 in two starts against them with a 3.14 ERA.
Detroit was denied a sweep in its series with the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, as it dropped a 2-1 decision at Kauffman Stadium.