Pennant Chase Preview | Detroit Tigers @ Chicago White Sox

The Detroit Tigers head to Chicago for their final road series of the season. The White Sox are coming off a sweep at the hand of those pesky Minnesota Twins and are winners of just two of their last ten. The AL Central's third best team is fading fast, a trend the Tigers hope continues.

Meanwhile, the Tigers will keep an eye on Kansas City where the Twins will run into hot pitchers Robinson Tejeda and Zack Greinke, who is making a strong charge to win his first Cy Young Award. It is starting to feel like each series is the Tigers' most important of the season. Here is a look ahead at what to expect this weekend in Chicago:

Friday, Sept. 25, 8:11 PM

Eddie Bonine (0-0, 5.96) vs. Jake Peavy (7-6, 4.05)

Eddie Bonine will return to the scene of his best baseball moment of 2009. On July 24, he pitched six solid innings to keep the Tigers in a tight game. As a result, the Tigers were able to win the game and sweep the day-night doubleheader.

Bonine spent much of the season at AAA Toledo but will make his third start of the season. He has been far from dominant but has been able to give the Tigers just enough to hang around and win.

Jim Leyland will look for Bonine to eat some innings before turning it over to the bullpen. Don't be surprised to see him replaced by Zach Miner after five innings.

Countering for the White Sox will be Jake Peavy in his second start as a member of the White Sox. His first outing for the South-Siders was a win over the Kansas City Royals.

Peavy may be prone to the long-ball as he transitions from pitcher friendly Petco Park to the bandbox that is US Cellular Field. Billy Butler was able to take Jake deep in his last outing.

The goal for Peavy will be to finish the year healthy and set his sights on 2010. Look for the White Sox to limit his innings just as they did in his first start. Peavy threw just 73 pitches in his five innings.

Saturday, Sept. 26, 7:05 PM

Nate Robertson (2-2, 5.13) vs. Freddy Garcia (2-3, 4.01)

The Tigers moved Nate Robertson's start back from Friday to Saturday to give him an extra day of rest. Robertson suffered a groin strain shortly after returning from elbow surgery but will need to remain healthy for a pitching staff struggling to find consistency beyond their top three starters.

Robertson gave the Tigers just what they needed his last time out. Five innings of two run ball was enough for the Tigers to secure a 6-2 win at Minnesota. This will be Nate's first extended opportunity against the White Sox as he has only faced them twice in relief this season.

As you may recall, Freddy Garcia got a trial run with the Tigers near the end of last season. He posted a 4.20 ERA in his 15 innings, good enough to get an opportunity with the White Sox.

Freddy will make his eighth start on Saturday. Garcia needed just 94 pitches to finish eight innings in his last start. He held the Royals to two runs on five hits but took the loss.

Freddy has struggled to reach 90 mph on his fastball but may be showing enough effectiveness to latch on with a team as a free agent this winter.

Sunday, Sept. 27, 2:05 PM

Edwin Jackson (13-7, 3.25) vs. Daniel Hudson (0-1, 3.38)

Edwin Jackson put together his best pitching performance in recent memory with his seven shutout inning in Cleveland. Word was out that EJack had been tipping his pitches, a problem pitching coach Rick Knapp evidently was able to work out. A rejuvenated Jackson will be key for the Detroit Tigers in the last week of the season and in the playoffs.

Edwin has made two starts against the White Sox this year, both no-decisions. He got through 12 innings and posted a 3.75 ERA in those two starts. A.J. Pierzynski, Scott Podsednik and Jim Thome have each collected three hits off of Jackson, although Jim Thome has since been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Daniel Hudson is a rookie right hander that will make his second start, fifth appearance overall. Hudson took the loss in his starting debut against the Twins after allowing three runs on four hits and four walks while striking out four.

Even with the White Sox falling out of contention, this start will be important for Daniel Hudson as he tries to prove he is worthy of consideration for a spot in next year's rotation.

Around the AL Central

Upcoming Schedule:

Tigers: @CWS 9/25-9/27, MIN 9/28-10/1

Twins: @KAN 9/25-9/27, @DET 9/28-10/1

White Sox: DET 9/25-9/27, @CLE 9/28-9/30

Indians: BAL 9/25-9/27, CWS 9/28-9/30

Royals: MIN 9/25-9/27, @NYY 9/28-9/30

Current Standings:

Team	GB
Tigers	0
Twins	3
White Sox	9.5
Indians	19.5
Royals	21

The Tigers magic number is 8. This is the total number of Tiger wins and second place team losses needed for the Tigers to secure their first division championship since 1987.

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