Chicago White Sox-Detroit Tigers: Series Preview
May 6, 2009
A.J Pierzynski comes into a crucial series for both teams red hot at the plate, batting .600 with two long-balls and 5 RBI over his last 20 at-bats.
A four-hit effort last night, including only his second triple since joining the White Sox five years ago, went for nothing.
The Sox blew a three-run lead to lose in extra innings at Kansas City.
Scott Podsednik has begun his second stint with the team very well, batting .316 since his call up last Friday. His bright start offers a ray of hope on the center field position that has been a cause for concern since day one for the team.
Starting pitching remains the primary concern for the White Sox, with Danks, Contreras and Floyd all sporting an ERA above seven over their last week of work. Mark Buerhle takes the mound in Game One as he looks to open the season 5-0 for the first time in his career.
Buehrle has been the one pitching bright spot in the rotation so far in 2009, currently 4-0 with a 3.30 ERA.
He squares off against Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga (3-1, 3.07 ERA), who dominated the Sox through 6.1 innings of work, giving up just four hits and no runs on April 15.
Series Predictions
Game One: (Buehrle vs. Galarraga) 6-3 Chicago
Game Two: (Contreras vs. Miner) 7-2 Detroit