Tigers at White Sox (Game 1)
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: 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Detroit, WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Daniel Norris (2-7, 4.62 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Dylan Cease (NR)
Norris lost his sixth consecutive decision Friday against Washington as he gave up two runs and five hits over five innings before exiting due to a cramp in his groin. The 26-year-old Tennessean has not won since May 12, when he gave up two runs and six hits in 6 1/3 frames at Minnesota. Norris' other victory this season came on April 21 versus Chicago as he allowed two hits over five scoreless innings to improve to 2-0 with a 2.87 ERA in seven career games (five starts) against the White Sox.
Cease will be making his major-league debut after being selected in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. The 23-year-old native of Georgia has made 15 starts for Charlotte during his first season in Triple-A, going 5-2 with a 4.48 ERA and 73 strikeouts over 68 1/3 innings. Cease was dominant in 10 starts for Double-A Birmingham last year as he posted a 3-0 record and 1.72 ERA while fanning 78 batters in 52 1/3 frames.
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 Triple-A 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.