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

Apr 23, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder

Don Kelly

(32) and first baseman

Miguel Cabrera

(24) congratulate each other after scoring in the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers still maintain a lead in the AL Central, but the Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins sit just one game back. And the Cleveland Indians sit just a half game back that pack. It’s far too early to worry about the standings but right now the Central is one big group clustered around .500 (though, to be fair, the Tigers’ 10-8 record (.556) puts them on 90-win pace).

Detroit Tigers (10-8) vs. Chicago White Sox (11-11) – 1:08 P.M.

Comerica Park – Detroit, MI

TV: FSD

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

Weather: 53 degrees, cloudy

When We Last Met

The Tigers let one slip last night after taking a two-run lead into the seventh inning. Ahead by a 4-2 margin, reliever Evan Reed loaded the bases and Ian Krol sent them all home on a grand slam off the bat of leadoff hitter Marcus Semien.

Pitching Matchup

Jose Quintanta will make the start for the White Sox, the third lefty they’ve sent to the hill in this four-game set. Quintana, who recently signed a five-year, $26.5 million extension with the Sox, isn’t overly impressive in any facet of the trade, but he has thus far gotten the job done in a slightly above average manner in his career (which spans basically two full seasons). He strikes out slightly fewer batters than the average pitcher does, but also walks fewer, and is very average when it comes to preventing home runs. In all, his career FIP- checks in at a very solid 96 (meaning 4% better than league average).

Max Scherzer will get the ball for the Tigers. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is off to an excellent start in 2014. His strikeout rate is actually up, his walk rate is unchanged and although his home run rate is up a bit over 2013, it’s no worse than his career rate (or the MLB average rate). His 2.33 ERA is backed up by a 2.73 FIP and 2.33 xFIP. Scherzer has had only one rough outing — four runs in five innings against the San Diego Padres — but even in that game he fanned 10 batters.

Tigers Lineup

Rajai Davis, LF
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Torii Hunter, RF
Austin Jackson, CF
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Bryan Holaday, C
Danny Worth, SS