GDT22: 4/29/14 - DET (12-9) AT CWS (13-13) - 8:10 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (3-1, 2.18 ERA)

Verlander has won his last three starts, throwing seven innings of two-run ball in two of them, as he continues to progress into his 2011-12 form once again. He has 22 strikeouts over 19 innings in those last three outings.



White Sox: LHP Jose Quintana (1-2, 3.90 ERA)

Quintana hasn't had his best stuff his last two outings, surrendering eight earned runs on 16 hits in 11 innings. He'll look to exact revenge against the Tigers, who beat him Thursday. Quintana allowed three earned in six innings in that outing.





Tigers, White Sox square off in AL Central battle
Rainout pushes Verlander back to face Quintana in Chicago

By Alyson Footer / MLB.com | 4/27/2014 5:50 PM ET

It's still very early in the season, so it's probably a bit premature to look at the standings and glean much from where teams are positioned.

But almost a month into the season, the American League Central standings have an interesting look, in that all of the teams are bunched together. Even the last-place team -- the Indians -- is only a few games out of first place.

Regardless of what month it is, divisional matchups usually carry some level of intrigue. When the Tigers and White Sox convene at U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday, the Sox will be just a tick or two behind the first-place Tigers in the AL Central and may have a little momentum working. Entering their series finale with the Rays on Monday, the White Sox had won five of eight games.

The Tigers will either be totally rested or totally restless by the time this series begins, depending on how you look at it. Detroit's series finale in Minnesota on Sunday was rained out, and they followed that with a scheduled off-day.

Because of the rainout, they'll resume play Tuesday night with a slightly revamped rotation. Instead of Max Scherzer starting, he'll be bumped to Wednesday, with Justin Verlander, Sunday's starter, taking the mound for the opener with the Sox.

Verlander faced the White Sox in his most recent start on April 22. He earned the win, allowing two runs over seven innings with two walks and seven strikeouts.

The Sox will counter with lefty Jose Quintana, who will be making his sixth start of the season in search of his second win. He will also be facing the same opponent in two consecutive starts, having pitched against the Tigers in a losing effort on April 24. He yielded three runs over six innings in a game the Sox lost, 7-4.

Tigers: Clutch hitting on the rise
Third baseman Nick Castellanos ranks fourth in the American League with a .412 (7-for-17) batting average with runners in scoring position. Two of those hits were home runs, and during this stretch, he's driven in 11.

Rajai Davis has hit safely in eight of his last nine games, batting .400 (14-for-35) with six runs scored, two doubles, one home run and five RBIs.

White Sox: Abreu's accolades
Jose Abreu's 10 home runs and 31 RBIs are both Major League rookie records for March/April.

Through his first 26 games, Abreu hit safely or collected an RBI in 16 of those contests. He already owns three multihomer games and seven multi-RBI games. After Sunday's game, he was hitting .414 (12-for-29) with five homers and 25 RBIs with runners in scoring position.

Abreu appears to have found a home as the three-hole hitter, batting .302 (19-for-63) with seven homers and 25 RBIs. As the cleanup hitter, he was batting .205.

Worth noting
• How's this for eerie: as of their 31st birthdays, Miguel Cabrera and Hank Aaron have identical stats in three categories: batting average (.320), home runs (366) and extra-base hits (796).

• Entering Sunday's play, White Sox pitchers had issued a Major League-leading 118 walks this season. They were also leading the league in runs scored with 134.

• Adam Dunn needs four home runs to tie Jeff Bagwell and Vladimir Guerrero (449) for 36th place all-time. He also needs two walks to tie Jack Clark (1,262) for 48th place all-time.

Alyson Footer is a national correspondent for MLB.com. Follow her on Twitter @alysonfooter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.





INJURY UPDATE:


• Dirks, Andy (LF) (Recovering from March 2014 back surgery, on the 60-day disabled list, Due Back: Possibly June)

• Putkonen, Luke (P) (Right elbow inflammation, Placed on 15-day DL on April 21, retroactive to April 19.)

• Iglesias, Jose (SS) (Stress fractures in both shins, 60-day disabled list, Due Back: Possibly late 2014)

• Rondon, Bruce (P) (Tommy John surgery-Right elbow, 60-day disabled list, Due Back: 2015)

• Sanchez, Anibal (P) (lacerated right middle finger, Placed on 15-day DL on April 26.)



On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
•  SCOREBOARD
•  Official Press Pass game notes


On television

•

• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule


On radio

• <<<
•
• XM Channel Schedule





• Wednesday, April 30:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (2-1, 2.45 ERA)) AT
WHITE SOX: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
2:10p  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN, FM 97.1)


• Thursday, May 1: OFF DAY


• Friday, May 2:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (3-1, 3.96 ERA)) AT
ROYALS: (RHP Jeremy Guthrie (2-1, 4.22 ERA))
8:10p  p.m. ET (FS-D, FM 97.1)


• Saturday, May 3:
TIGERS: (LHP Drew Smyly (1-1, 3.60 ERA)) AT
ROYALS: (RHP James Shields (3-2, 2.03 ERA))
7:10p  p.m. ET (FS1, FM 97.1)


• Sunday, May 4:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (TBA ERA)) AT
ROYALS: (LHP Jason Vargas (2-0, 1.54 ERA))
2:10p  p.m. ET (FS-D, FM 97.1)


Mon, May 5 Astros 7:08p FS-D, MLB.TV
Tue, May 6 Astros 7:08p FS-D, MLB.TV
Wed, May 7 Astros 7:08p FS-D, MLB.TV
Thu, May 8 Astros 1:08p FS-D, MLB.TV

Fri, May 9 Twins 7:08p FS-D, MLB.TV
Sat, May 10 Twins 1:08p FS-D, MLB.TV
Sun, May 11 Twins 1:08p FS-D, MLB.TV

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS (career numbers off Jose Quintana)

   Rajai Davis, LF (8-for-17, 2 doubles, HR, walk, K)
   Ian Kinsler, 2B (3-for-8, double, walk, 2 K’s)
   Miguel Cabrera, 1B (4-for-14, double, HR, 2 walks, 3 K’s)
   Victor Martinez, DH (2-for-9)
   Torii Hunter, RF (4-for-14, 3 K’s)
   Austin Jackson, CF (3-for-16, triple, walk, 3 K’s)
   Nick Castellanos, 3B (2-for-5, K)
   Bryan Holaday, C
   Danny Worth, SS

P: Justin Verlander

WHITE SOX (career numbers off Verlander)

   Adam Eaton, CF
   Gordon Beckham, 2B (6-for-31, HR, 7 K’s)
   Jose Abreu, 1B (2-for-3, HR, K)
   Adam Dunn, DH (5-for-28, 3 HR, 2 walks, 12 K’s)
   Dayan Viciedo, RF (6-for-18, double, HR, 4 K’s)
   Alexei Ramirez, SS (15-for-61, double, HR, 2 walks, 9 K’s)
   Alejandro De Aza, LF (4-for-23, 2 HR, 2 walks, 8 K’s)
   Tyler Flowers, C (3-for-13, 2 HR, 2 walks, 4 K’s)
   Marcus Semien, 3B (1-for-4, 2 K’s)

P: Jose Quintana

Top 9

• 1.Torii Hunter strikes out swinging.
  
• 2.Austin Jackson reaches on a fielding error by right fielder Dayan Viciedo. Austin Jackson to 3rd.
  
• 3.Nick Castellanos strikes out swinging.
  
• 4.Bryan Holaday singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Ronald Belisario. Austin Jackson scores.
  
• With Danny Worth batting, Bryan Holaday steals (1) 2nd base.
  
• 5.Danny Worth grounds out, third baseman Marcus Semien to first baseman Jose Abreu.
  

Bottom 9

• Pitching Change: Joe Nathan replaces Joba Chamberlain.
  
• 1.Alejandro De Aza called out on strikes.
  
• 2.Tyler Flowers flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Paul Konerko replaces Marcus Semien.
  
• 3.Paul Konerko flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.
  

TIGERS WIN 4-3

BOX SCORE



W: Chamberlain (1-1)
L: Belisario (1-3)
SV: Nathan (5)