Series Preview: Tigers at White Sox

Detroit Tigers (54-47) at Chicago White Sox (49-51)

Probable Pitchers:
Monday July 25, 8:10p:
RHP Duane Below (0-0, 1.80, 2 K, 1 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Has never faced Chicago hitter.
Hitter to Fail: Has never faced Chicago hitter.

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LHP Mark Buehrle (7-5, 3.38, 68 K, 28 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Victor Martinez (23 for 69, 2 2B, 4 HR, 12 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Miguel Cabrera (4 for 22, 1 K)

Tuesday July 26, 8:10p:
RHP Justin Verlander (13-5, 2.24, 162 K, 33 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Carlos Quentin (10 for 31, 3 HR, 7 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Paul Konerko (5 for 42, 13 K)

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RHP Jake Peavy (4-4, 5.19, 47 K, 14 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Andy Dirks (1 for 2, 1 2B, 1 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Miguel Cabrera (2 for 23, 10 K)

Wednesday July 27, 2:10p:
RHP Max Scherzer (11-5, 4.35, 106 K, 39 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Juan Pierre (9 for 22, 1 2B, 2 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Alexi Ramirez (1 for 13, 3 K)

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LHP John Danks (3-8, 3.92, 71 K, 29 BB)
Hitter to Fear: Magglio Ordonez (15 for 26, 4 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI)
Hitter to Fail: Jhonny Peralta (7 for 34, 8 K)

What to Watch For:
1. Avila in beginnings of a slump? - July has not been so kind to Tigers catcher Alex Avila. In his last 10 games, he is only hitting .188 with 8 strikeouts. Manager Jim Leyland doesn't seem to be worried and states that Avila is just fatigued. Unfortunately for Avila, he won't get much rest as we head into the last 2 months of the season. Avila is a career .316 hitter against the White Sox.

2. Below hoping for some run support - If Tigers pitcher Duane Below wants to get his first win in the majors, he may be going against the right pitcher. Tigers hitters have had a lot of success against Mark Buehrle. Carlos Guillen, Austin Jackson, Victor Martinez, Magglio Ordonez, and Jhonny Peralta are all hitting .299 and above against him.

3. White Sox bats to look out for - White Sox outfielders Juan Pierre and Carlos Quentin have had a lot of success against the Tigers this season. Pierre is hitting .371 with 1 HR and 3 RBIs against Detroit while Quentin is hitting .367 with 4 homeruns and 9 RBIs.

On Deck:
Tigers return home on Thursday afternoon to kick off a 4-game series against the Angels.