This is a very big week for the Chicago White Sox. They begin a homestand featuring three potential playoff teams with the Tigers, Red Sox, and Yankees heading to the Cell. Depending on how they play in these games will probably also determine whether GM Kenny Williams will be a buyer or seller when the trade deadline arrives on Sunday afternoon.
The White Sox return home Monday after a successful road trip against AL Central opponents. They started off taking two out of three in Detroit, then struggled losing two of three in Kansas City, and ended on a high note winning both games in Cleveland. The Sox need to continue the AL Central momentum with the first-place Tigers coming to Chicago. The Sox have struggled against Detroit at home recently losing seven of their last eight meetings.
Mark Buehrle will get the start for the Sox Monday. Buehrle has been great the past few months. The Sox lefty comes in with a 7-5 record with an ERA of 3.38. In his career against the Tigers, Buehrle is 17-9 with an ERA of 3.22.
The Tigers will send rookie Duane Below to the hill in the series opener. Below will be making his second career start. In his debut, the Tigers lefty earned a no decision allowing just one earned run in five plus innings to the Oakland Athletics. The White Sox are known to struggle against pitchers they haven't faced so Below could have a good chance Monday.
The forecast at the time of first pitch in Chicago is temps in the 80's under partly cloudy skies. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 CST. The game will be televised on CSN.