Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox Game 160 Preview, TV, Lineup

Detroit Tigers (73-86) at Chicago White Sox (75-85) — 7:10 PM ET

U.S. Cellular Field — Chicago, IL 

TV: FSD

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather: 55 degrees, cloudy

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Game Preview

The Detroit Tigers need to win both of the final two games of the season in Chicago if they want to not finish in last place in the AL Central and go from first-to-worst in one year. They stand a good chance at winning tonight with their once and future ace, Justin Verlander on the mound.

When We Last Met

Manager Brad Ausmus put a AA team on the diamond in Friday night’s game against Chris Sale (No Kinsler, Miggy, Iglesias, V-Mart) and the results were typical, a punchless offense in 2-1 loss. Sure there are nagging injuries keeping Martinez and Iglesias out, but giving Kinsler and Cabrera a day off the day after a day off with six months of days off coming in two days, I am failing to see the Brad Ausmus logic.

Pitching Matchup 

It has been quite a second-half run for Justin Verlander (5-8, 3.35) and while him and the rest of the Detroit Tigers will be headed home for seven months five months after Sunday’s game, Verlander is one of the few Tigers to have something to build on headed into 2016. He has an ERA hovering around 2.00 since his second start after the All-Star game, is lighting up the radar gun again and becoming the stopper he used to be.

His teammates have also been playing better during his starts after helping him win just three of his first 17 starts this season, he will be looking for his third straight victory after shutting down the Texas Rangers on Monday, limiting the playoff-bound team to six hits and one earned run in six innings.

JV will be opposed by Erik Johnson (3-1, 3.45) for the White Sox, who has been a positive to the end of a disappointing season for a team with high expectations. Coming up as part of Chicago’s September call-ups, Johnson has lost just once–his last start when he allowed three runs (two earned) against the New York Yankees on Sunday.

He befuddled Detroit batters in six innings of work in the second game of a double-header at Comerica Park on Sept. 21, going six strong innings while scattering five hits and two runs in the 3-0 Pale Hose win.

Detroit Tigers Lineup

1. Anthony Gose-CF
2. Ian Kinsler-2B
3. Miguel Cabrera-1B
4. J.D. Martinez-DH
5. Tyler Collins-LF
6. Nick Castellanos-3B
7. Steven Moya-RF
8. Dixon Machado-SS
9. Alex Avila-C

Injuries

• Victor Martinez — Day-to-Day
• Jose Iglesias — Day-to-Day
• Anibal Sanchez –Out for the Season
• Joe Nathan — Out for the Season

Next: Goodbye to Simon