GDT: 9/6/10 - DET (68-69) VS CWS (76-60) - 1:05 p.m. ET

Jackson, Scherzer set to duel in Detroit

By James Hall / MLB.com

The White Sox and Tigers are going to see a lot of each other over the next two weeks -- seven times to be precise.

And while Monday's four-game series opener had playoff implications written all over it entering 2010, unfortunately for the Tigers, those postseason aspirations will be one-sided.

In a pivotal series for the White Sox, who are currently 3 1/2 games behind the Twins atop the American League Central, manager Ozzie Guillen is treating the showdown as a must-win scenario.

"We have to be careful," Guillen said. "We might get swept there. We [can't] go there and ease up. They have good talent, great talent, and they're going to play very good. Their manager [Jim Leyland] is not going to let those guys lie down until the last pitch.

"We better be ready for them -- look what happened to us in Baltimore and Kansas City. They're not an easy team out there. And they're going to be out there to beat us, and we better prepare for them."

Winners of their last six contests, the White Sox will turn the ball over to a sizzling Edwin Jackson.

Over his five starts in August, the right-hander posted a 3-0 record with a 1.47 ERA, racking up 45 strikeouts in just 35 2/3 frames.

Equally as impressive, the White Sox offense has led the Major Leagues since June 29 with a .298 batting average, and 324 runs scored. Chicago has also demonstrated a keen batting eye as of late, using five walks in the ninth inning on Sunday to help propel a come-from-behind win over the Red Sox, completing their three-game sweep.

The South Siders will face a tough opposing starter as Tigers starter Max Scherzer has been unhittable since the start of July. In 12 outings since July 2, the righty has gone 6-3 with a 1.73 ERA. Similar to Jackson, Scherzer has piled up the strikeouts, fanning 76 batters in 83 innings.

In his last outing against the White Sox on Aug. 5, Scherzer allowed two runs over seven frames for a no-decision.

White Sox: Shuffling the deck
Manager Ozzie Guillen gave new designated hitter Manny Ramirez a day of rest on Sunday. Guillen wants to ensure Ramirez is well rested entering the club's four-game series at Comerica Park. The right-handed hitter has gone 4-for-11 as a member of the White Sox, with the team 4-0 when he plays. He was hit by a pitch, serving as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning on Sunday. ... The Sox ran wild against Boston on Sunday, going 6-for-7 in stolen-base attempts, three coming from the feet of outfielder Alex Rios. Speed demon Juan Pierre, who stole a critical base in the seventh inning on Sunday, is now one bag shy of tying Barry Bonds for 32nd (523) on the all-time list.

Tigers: Bats go cold
After recording double-digit hits in five of their last six games, the Tigers amassed only three hits on Sunday vs. the Royals. It marked the club's second lowest total of the season, the first coming July 26 when the Rays' Matt Garza threw a no-hitter.

Worth noting
With a double in the first inning off Red Sox starter Josh Beckett, White Sox infielder Omar Vizquel passed Ken Griffey Jr. for 47th on the all-time hits list. The 43-year-old Vizquel, who also added a single, sits at 2,783 career hits. A.J. Pierzynski's single in the second inning off Beckett, put him at 13th on the all-time hit list for catchers, passing Ted Simmons. Pierzynski has 1,337 career knocks.



Pitching matchup

TIGERS: RHP Max Scherzer (10-9, 3.45 ERA)
Teammates believe Scherzer might be the best starter in the AL at the moment, and he's making a strong case. He's 3-1 with a 1.25 ERA over his last seven starts, including nine innings with one run Wednesday at Minnesota in a no-decision.

WHITE SOX: RHP Edwin Jackson (3-0, 1.47 ERA)
Over his five starts in August, the right-hander posted a 3-0 record with a 1.47 ERA, racking up 45 strikeouts in just 35 2/3 frames.




INJURY UPDATE:
• RHP Zach Miner (Partial tear in right elbow, 60-day DL on March 26, Had successful Tommy John surgery May 28, Out for Season),
• LHP Bobby Seay (Torn rotator cuff, 60-day DL on March 26, surgery on September 15, Out for Season),
• OF Magglio Ordonez (right ankle fracture, 15-day DL on July 25, Had surgery surgery Aug. 25, Out for Season),
• INF Danny Worth (bruised left heel, 15-day DL on August 4, Out for Season),
• RHP Joel Zumaya (non-displaced fracture of the olecranon, 60-day DL on June 29, Underwent elbow surgery July 12, Out for Season).
• Carlos Guillen (Bruised left knee, 15-day DL on August 23)


Out for Season
Expected Back


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Tuesday, September 7,
TIGERS (RHP Justin Verlander (14-8, 3.61 ERA)) VS WHITE SOX (To Be Announced (0-0, 0.00 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Wednesday, September 8,
TIGERS (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (7-9, 5.25 ERA)) VS WHITE SOX (To Be Announced (0-0, 0.00 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Chi White Sox AVG
Pierre, LF .279
Vizquel, SS .284
Quentin, RF .244
Ramirez, M, DH .314
Teahen, 3B .274
Jones, An, CF .223
Pierzynski, C .262
Kotsay, 1B .238
Beckham, 2B .258
Totals .271

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .306
Rhymes, 2B .314
Damon, DH .264
Cabrera, M, 1B .335
Kelly, LF .242
Inge, 3B .251
Boesch, RF .265
Avila, C .220
Santiago, SS .268
Totals .269

honestly not expecting much from this one...but as a fan - go Tigers!

i'll watch the beginning on gameday, anyway...

gotta love our rookies!

Mr Jackson!! Mr jackson!!!

oh yeah!! bases loaded!!!!

is that???i have to rub my eyes..

go johnny go

come on cabby!!

oooh i'm scared - - maybe playoffs this year???? dream!!!

B:1 S:2 O:3 -Brandon Inge grounds into double play, shortstop Omar Vizquel to second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Mark Kotsay. Don Kelly out at 2nd.


DET 2, CWS 0 after 1 inning