Set to make his return to manager Robin Ventura's lineup after being removed from the disabled list, promising outfielder Alejandro De Aza is slated to bat leadoff and and play center field on Sunday night against the Detroit Tigers.
De Aza was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Aug. 21 with bruised ribs, and his hitting .281 with 21 steals and 44 RBI this year during a breakthrough campaign. De Aza and his team will need to be extra focused on Sunday evening in order to finish the series on a high note however, as Detroit's Justin Verlander will aim to put memories of a woeful last start behind him with a bounce-back performance.
Opposing last year's Cy Young winner in the series finale will be none other than Chicago's own 2012 Cy Young contender in left-hander Chris Sale. Sale's 15-5 overall record and 2.81 earned-run average are each enough to put him firmly in the race for the most prestigious pitching award, but out-dueling Verlander head-to-head could be exact what he needs to shift most of the momentum to his side.
Here are Sunday's starting lineups:
White Sox
1. Alejandro De Aza - CF
2. Kevin Youkilis - 3B
3. Dewayne Wise - LF
4. Paul Konerko - 1B
5. Alex Rios - RF
6. A.J. Pierzynski - DH
7. Alexei Ramirez - SS
8. Tyler Flowers - C
9. Orlando Hudson - 2B
Chris Sale - SP
Tigers
1. Austin Jackson - CF
2. Omar Infante - 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera - 3B
4. Prince Fielder - 1B
5. Delmon Young - LF
6. Jhonny Peralta - SS
7. Avisail Garcia - RF
8. Brennan Boesch - DH
9. Gerald Laird - C
Justin Verlander - SP
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