Jose Contreras (6-3, 2.76) vs. 
Nate Robertson (3-6, 6.03)
Maybe this is fickle of me, but I'd have been a lot more fired up about tonight's series opener with the White Sox had the Tigers won last night and shown they might be making some progress. As it is, however, they could accomplish much the same thing in these three games with the AL Central leaders. Winning any game against the White Sox might indicate some progress, as Ozzie Guillen's team has won five out of the last six meetings between these clubs.
Jose Contreras has been outstanding recently, allowing more than one run only twice in his last seven starts. Strangely, two of his worst outings this season have been against the Tigers. In 11 2/3 innings vs. Detroit, Contreras has allowed nine runs with seven walks and four strikeouts. At Comerica Park, he has a 4-3 record and 3.97 ERA in 10 starts.
The Tigers will have to score at least five runs against Contreras, because Nate Robertson is likely to allow four of his own. In his last outing against the A's, Robertson was knocked around for eight hits and five runs in just 6 1/3 innings. Before that, Seattle scored four runs on him in 5 2/3 innings. And in his one start against the White Sox earlier this season, Robertson gave up five runs in five innings.
South Side Sox has your SB Nation opposing view for this three-game series.
Short Hops:
- If you haven't heard already, Dontrelle Willis was optioned to Single-A Lakeland this afternoon.
- Take 75 North writes about Jordan Tata, whose fortunes have significantly plummeted within the Tigers' organization. Wonder why he hasn't been mentioned as a possible replacement for Dontrelle Willis? Tata has been outrighted from the 40-man roster.
- Baseball Prospectus's Kevin Goldstein recaps the draft for each AL Central team.