Game 140 Preview: Tigers at White Sox

Detroit Tigers (73-66) at Chicago White Sox (75-64)

Time/Place: 8:00 p.m., U.S. Cellular Field

SB Nation Blog: South Side Sox

Media: Fox Sports Detroit, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Pitching Matchup: RHP Rick Porcello (9-11, 4.58 ERA) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (5-4, 3.68 ERA)

Quintana joined the White Sox rotation in late May and has been a revelation for them ever since. His stats are eerily similar to Drew Smyly's, minus the gaudy strikeout rate, but he has logged almost 30 more innings despite appearing in only two more games than Smyly has in 2012. Quintana's ERA has also mirrored Smyly's, hovering in the 1's for over a month, then rising steadily afterward. Quintana seems to have hit the rookie wall though, allowing a 6.03 ERA since the start of August and 12.66 in his last three starts.

Porcello has had the White Sox' number in 2012, going 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA against the Sox this season. He is single-handedly responsible for two of Chris Sale's six losses this year. This is a stark contrast from Porcello's numbers against the White Sox in his previous three seasons; even including his gaudy numbers this year, Porcello still has a career ERA of 4.95 against the White Sox (and 5.11 at U.S. Cellular Field).

Outlook

In a meaningless series like this? Please.

OK, just kidding. This one is tough to call. Porcello's up-and-down tendencies make my life difficult* on a regular basis, but he has shown a flair for the dramatic, pitching well in multiple key games throughout his career. If he can keep the lefties in check, he should be successful. Meanwhile, Quintana has been a liability in the White Sox' rotation for the last month or so, but Robin Ventura is running out of options (and healthy bodies) to replace him. That being said, this is his first career appearance against the Tigers. I'll let you jump to your own conclusions about that statement.

*As difficult as baseball blogging can be, I guess. I'm not actually complaining about this, other than the fact that I don't get free nachos for my writing efforts.

Prediction

The score of tonight's game will be 3-2 (h/t JacksTigers for the idea).

Gameday Reading:

White Sox pitching needs to turn things around quickly - South Side Sox
"The Sox starters aren't going as deep into games, which is causing the bullpen to become overworked, which is hindering their performance."

Chicago White Sox: Sox face huge four-game series against Detroit Tigers - Chicago Tribune, Dave van Dyck
"The Tigers could leave town with a two-game lead — or they could leave almost hopelessly trying to make up a six-game deficit with 19 games remaining."

Sox-Tigers series big, but all are now - ESPN Chicago, Chris Silva
"The Tigers have fared well against the Sox this season, having won 10 of 14 games, but the early-season AL Central favorites have been inconsistent against other teams."