Bartolo Colon (3-6, 4.23) vs.
Eddie Bonine (0-0, 9.00), 7:05 p.m. EST
After getting a big, much needed victory in Game 1 of today's double-header, the Tigers can put a little breathing room between themselves and the White Sox with a win in the nightcap.
Bartolo Colon makes his first start for the White Sox since June 7, after going on the disabled list for inflamation in his left knee. In that last start, he served up four homers (eight hits total) in five innings to the Indians. Colon has faced the Tigers 21 times in his career, compiling an 8-9 record and 5.28 ERA. At Comerica Park, he's 4-4 with a 6.23 ERA.
Eddie Bonine gets the call up from Triple-A to make a spot start for today's double-header. This season with the Mud Hens, he's posted a 2-4 record and 4.67 ERA in 12 starts. Bonine began the year with the Tigers, making the team out of Spring Training, but didn't pitch that well in a long relief role. In four appearances, he allowed eight runs and 16 hits in eight innings, and was eventually sent back down to Toledo when Joel Zumaya was activated.
Bonine faced the White Sox in one game earlier this season. Pitching in relief of Zach Miner, he gave up two runs and five hits (one of them a home run by Carlos Quentin) in 2.2 innings. But if Bonine doesn't have it, the Tigers have a fully rested bullpen ready to go after Justin Verlander pitched a complete game this afternoon.
Three changes in the lineup for Game 2. Marcus Thames starts in left field, Dusty Ryan gets the nod at catcher, and Ramon Santiago plays at shortstop. Carlos Guillen is once again the designated hitter, after going 1-for-4 this afternoon in his first game back.