Gavin Floyd (8-6, 4.40) vs. 
Edwin Jackson (7-5, 2.52), 4:05 p.m. EST
The Tigers got their pivotal weekend series with the White Sox off to a great start by sweeping the opening doubleheader. But building on that with at least one more win and taking the series would make a far more definitive statement in the AL Central.
For the White Sox, Gavin Floyd has won two of his past three starts (and four of his last five), despite allowing 13 runs in 20 innings. He's also served up five home runs in his last two outings. But Floyd has quite a record against the Detroit Tigers. He has never lost to them, compiling a 5-0 record and 3.55 ERA in 11 starts. He's also never lost at Comerica Park, with a 3-0 record and 4.03 ERA in five appearances.
The last time Floyd pitched in Detroit, however, he threw seven walks in five innings, and the Tigers tagged him for six runs. Amazingly, he still picked up the win, as Zach Miner was absolutely terrible, giving up eight runs and nine hits in just 3.1 innings. But the White Sox aren't facing Miner today.
Last Sunday at Yankee Stadium, Edwin Jackson took the loss, despite giving up just two runs in seven innings. He wasn't great, issuing five walks, but with even minimal run support, he probably wins that game. It's been the story of his season. Virtually the same thing happened to Jackson the last time he faced the White Sox. At U.S. Cellular Field, he allowed two runs, five hits, and four walks in five innings (one of his shortest outings of the year). But the Tigers couldn't get their offense going until after Jackson had left the game.
At home, Jackson has a 4-1 record and 2.73 ERA in eight starts. He is also massively tattooed, which I don't think any of us knew (unless you were hanging out in the Tigers' clubhouse or intimately involved with him) until Thursday night. The Tigers should consider getting Jackson to take off his shirt and show that heavily inked back to the opposition before they come to the plate. How intimidating would that be?
Today's game is third on the FOX regional telecast totem pole, so if you're not in the Detroit or Chicago markets, you're probably getting Cards-Phillies or Twins-Angels. Hopefully, you're keeping up with the Tigers and White Sox here in the BYB GameThread.