Tigers at White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are trying to remain a factor in the American League wild-card chase and hope to make some hay against the struggling Detroit Tigers, who visit the Windy City for a four-game, three-day series beginning Tuesday. The White Sox won two of three against AL Central-leading Minnesota over the weekend and they've won three of four overall to get within three games of .500.
All-Star Lucas Giolito tossed five scoreless innings and Yoan Moncada was 3-for-4 with two RBIs in Sunday's 4-3 victory for Chicago, which is 20-15 against division opponents. Struggling right-hander Reynaldo Lopez has shown signs of improvement of late and will try to take advantage of the Tigers' AL-worst offense. Detroit has dropped nine of its last 10 and 13 of 15, and has been held to one run in each of its last four defeats. It will try to give lefty Matthew Boyd a bit more run support when he starts the series opener opposite Lopez.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (5-6, 3.72 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (4-7, 6.12)
Boyd gave up at least four runs in each of his final three starts in June to post a 5.90 ERA in the month after recording an ERA of 2.55 in May and 2.78 in April. He was the hard-luck loser opposite Lopez on April 28 in Chicago, allowing two runs in six innings and striking out nine. The Oregon State product has a 6.23 ERA in seven career starts at Chicago's Guaranteed Rate Field and needs to be careful against slugger Jose Abreu, who is 12-for-24 with two home runs against Boyd.
Lopez allowed three runs in six innings at Fenway Park on Wednesday for his second quality start in the last seven turns. He had back-to-back strong outings against Detroit in April, giving up a total of two earned runs in 12 innings and striking out a career-high 14 opposite Boyd in the second of those two starts. The 25-year-old from the Dominican Republic is 2-2 with a 2.86 ERA in nine career meetings with the Tigers but will be wary of Nicholas Castellanos, who is 10-for-27 with six doubles against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. The teams are scheduled to play a day-night doubleheader Wednesday and a matinee Thursday.
2. Moncada has hit safely in each of the last eight games in which he's had an at-bat, going 13-for-33 in that stretch.
3. Tigers LF Brandon Dixon has four home runs in his last nine contests.