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ON DECK: Tigers begin long homestand with visit from White Sox

Despite salvaging a victory in the series finale on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins, the Detroit Tigers went just 2-5 on their latest road trip in a span that lacked little to no spark offensively. Detroit in those seven games hit just .209 with a .562 OPS, averaging only 2.4 runs per contest and striking out in nearly 23 percent of their at-bats.

UP NEXT

The Tigers (21-28) now return home to begin what will officially be a 12-game homestand — yes, 12 — against four clubs running through June 4. Up first is a three-game Memorial Day weekend series with the division rival Chicago White Sox (15-32).

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It has been a rough go of it for the south siders, a team many expected to take that next step in their rebuild. Still, they carry one of the better farm systems in the sport and some of those top prospects could find their way to the show before the end of this season. Chicago has played a bit better as of late, going now 6-5 in their last 11 games following a loss on Thursday, after starting the season 9-27.

The White Sox will also be short-handed some for an extended period of time. Starting catcher Wellington Castillo was handed an 80-game suspension on Thursday by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

PITCHING MATCHUPS

Game 1 | Reynaldo López (White Sox) vs. Mike Fiers (Tigers)

Reynaldo López (1-3, 2.98 ERA) has been far and away Chicago’s best starter thus far. The 24-year-old is coming off his best start of the season, going eight shut-out and allowing just two hits against the Texas Rangers on May 20, punching out eight batters in the process. López already has one start against the Tigers under his belt, he tossed seven frames of one-run ball in his second start of the year back on April 8 but took the loss in a 1-0 game.

Mike Fiers (4-3, 4.57 ERA) threw a season-high 100 pitches in his last outing against the Seattle Mariners, going five innings and allowing four runs. It was also already the fourth time in eight starts in which Fiers has given up two home runs. That is now 10 gopher balls allowed for the soon-to-be 33-year-old, tied for 12th in the American League. Fiers’ first start of the 2018 season came against this White Sox club; he opposed the aforementioned Reynaldo López in that April 8 game and threw six scoreless.

Game 2 | Héctor Santiago (White Sox) vs. Francisco Liriano (Tigers)

The White Sox signed Héctor Santiago (0-2, 5.17 ERA) to a minor league deal in the offseason and the lefty made the Opening Day roster out of spring camp. This is Santiago’s second go-around with the Pale Hose; he spent the first three seasons (2011-13) of his career on the south side. He has appeared in 13 games for Chicago this season, four of which have been in a starting role, including his last two appearances. His ERA in those four starts is north of 7.00 compared to a 3.26 mark in nine relief outings. Santiago in 20 career games against the Tigers has a respectable 3.42 ERA.

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Francisco Liriano (3-1, 3.42 ERA) had about as good of a bounce-back start his last time out against the Mariners. Liriano carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before having that broken up by Mitch Haniger. he finished with eight scoreless innings, allowing just the one base knock and, like Fiers, going a season-high in pitches (102). The veteran southpaw will now face one of his many former employers (played one season w/ CWS in 2012). He has a 4.39 ERA in 18 games against the White Sox.

Game 3 | James Shields (White Sox) vs. Blaine Hardy (Tigers)

James Shields (1-4, 4.62 ERA) continues to grind it out in the later stages of his career. The 36-year-old has actually been better since a flip of the calendar. In five May starts, Shields has recorded a 3.27 ERA, going at least six innings in each of those outings and posting a rather impressive .494 opponent OPS. He allowed three runs over five innings back on April 5 against the Tigers in Chicago. Shields in his career has a 4.46 ERA in 26 starts against Detroit but shaves it down to 3.29 in 11 outings at Comerica Park.

On the other side, lefty Blaine Hardy (0-0, 3.46 ERA) is going to make his third straight start for the Tigers, as the team continues to await the return of starter Jordan Zimmermann from a shoulder injury. Hardy gave Detroit five innings of two-run ball in his last start against the Twins on May 21. In two starts now, he has given up four runs over 9.1 innings of work, striking out seven and walking just one. In 18 career relief appearances against the White Sox, Hardy has an ERA just over 5.00.

HITTERS TO WATCH

White Sox utility man Yolmer Sánchez has been among the few bright spots offensively for a Chicago team that ranks last in the American League in runs scored. Sánchez is hitting a career-high .282 through 45 games this season and, despite going 0 for 2 on Thursday, is hitting over .300 in the month of May (23 for 75). He hit .333 with a .926 OPS last season against Tigers pitching and is 3 for 12 so far vs. Detroit this year.

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Tigers right fielder Nicholas Castellanos is locked in and enjoying his best offensive season, at least through 46 games, with career-highs in every slash line department. And while we documented the team’s struggles at the dish during their recent road trip, Castellanos absolutely raked, hitting .367 (11 for 30) with an even .900 OPS. He is currently riding a streak of four games with multiple base hits.

SERIES INFO

  • Game 1 | Fri, May 25 @ 7:10 p.m. ET
  • Game 2 | Sat, May 26 @ 4:10 p.m. ET
  • Game 3 | Sun, May 27 @ 1:10 p.m. ET

All games can be seen on Fox Sports Detroit unless otherwise noted. Be sure to check your local listings for regional radio broadcasts.

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Alex Muller
Alex Mullerhttps://lxandrthegr8.wordpress.com/
MSU Graduate. Just a city boy born and raised in south Detroit. Baseball is life, a pitcher at heart. Freelance writer for MIPrepZone (News-Herald, Press & Guide).

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