Tigers at White Sox (Game 2)
The way things have been going lately, the Detroit Tigers likely welcomed an extra day off as the opener of their scheduled four-game series against the Chicago White Sox was rained out. Detroit could have even more free time as more rain is in the forecast for Wednesday, when they are slated to visit Chicago for a day-night doubleheader.
The Tigers endured a miserable month of June, going 5-20 after finishing May with a three-game winning streak and entering the series versus Chicago having lost nine of their last 10 contests. Brandon Dixon belted his team-leading 11th homer in Detroit's 2-1 loss to Washington on Sunday while Yoan Moncada went 3-for-4 with a two-run blast as the White Sox edged Minnesota 4-3. Dixon has gone just 4-for-33 over his last nine games, with all four hits being home runs, while Moncada has hit safely in eight of his last nine contests. Thanks to Tuesday's rainout, Detroit and Chicago now are scheduled to play three doubleheaders this season (Aug. 6 and Sept. 27), with Wednesday's twinbill coming as a result of a postponement on April 27.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, NBCS Chicago Plus
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Tyler Alexander (NR) vs. White Sox LH Ross Detwiler (1-0, 3.60)
Alexander, who was a second-round pick in the 2015 draft, will make his major-league debut in his native Chicago. The 24-year-old has struggled during his first full season with Triple-A Toledo, going 2-9 with a 6/23 ERA in 14 starts and one relief appearance. However, Alexander has registered 87 strikeouts in 73 2/3 innings with the Mud Hens while issuing only 18 walks.
Detwiler made his season - and White Sox - debut on Friday, notching the victory against Minnesota after allowing two runs and six hits in five innings. It was just the second major-league appearance by the 33-year-old native of St. Louis since 2016 as he spent the following season in the minors and began last year in the independent Atlantic League before signing with Seattle and suffering the loss in relief in his only outing with the Mariners. Detwiler, who recorded a career-high 10 wins with Washington in 2012 and has a 24-42 overall record, never has faced Detroit.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Tigers activated Jordy Mercer (quadriceps), who hasn't played since May 7, from the 10-day injured list and optioned fellow SS Ronny Rodriguez to Toledo.
2. Chicago last played three doubleheaders against the same opponent in 1982 versus the New York Yankees.
3. Detroit LHP Matthew Boyd, who originally was slated to start the nightcap, will pitch the series finale on Thursday.