Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox: Game Time, TV/Radio Coverage, Lineup

Apr 22, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher

Alex Avila

(13) hits a single during the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tiger and Chicago White Sox still have the series finale coming up on Thursday, but today’s winner will be able to force a split at minimum in this the first series of the season between these two AL Central Rivals. The Tigers enter Wednesday’s action with a one-game lead in the division overall and a two-game lead over these White Sox.

Detroit Tigers (10-7) vs. Chicago White Sox (10-11) — 7:08 P.M.

Comerica Park – Detroit, MI

TV: FSD

Radio: 97.1 FM The Ticket (click for radio affiliates)

Weather: 52 degrees, partly cloudy

When We Last Met

The Tigers broke out the bats early last night against the overmatched Charlie Leesman, putting up six runs and chasing him from the game before he could complete three full innings. It should have been an easy coast to the finish line, but three runs off of Phil Coke in the ninth inning (after striking out the first two batters of the inning) plus a walk issued by Joba Chamberlain meant the tying run actually stepped to the plate in the form of Alexei Ramirez. He flew out to left field to end the game, but it wasn’t a fun feeling for a while there.

Pitching Matchup

Drew Smyly will make the start for the Tigers while trying to bounce back from a rough first start of the season last Friday. The Angles touched him up to the tune of four runs on six hits (five extra base hits) and two walks in just three innings. Through nine total innings on the season his peripheral stats and totals are just about where we expect them to be, so there’s no reason to be overly concerned about that last outing.

Andre Rienzo, one of MLB’s two Brazilian-born players, will take the ball to start the game for the Chicago White Sox. He’s the only right-handed starting pitcher the Tigers will see in this four-game set. Rienzo, who started 10 games for the Sox in 2013 while posting a 4.83 ERA (5.85 FIP), has only made one big league appearance this season: a one-inning, 26-pitch outing this past Sunday.

Tigers Lineup

Ian Kinsler, 2B (R)
Don Kelly, RF (L)
Miguel Cabrera, 1B (R)
Victor Martinez, DH (S)
J.D. Martinez, LF (R)
Austin Jackson, CF (R)
Nick Castellanos, 3B (R)
Alex Avila, C (L)
Andrew Romine, SS (S)