White Sox-Tigers Preview 9-21-13

DETROIT (AP) - Detroit (90-64) reduced its magic number to clinch the division to three with a 12-5 rout Friday in the opener of this three-game set. Torii Hunter went 4 for 5 with three RBIs and Max Scherzer earned his 20th victory as the Tigers won for the eighth time in 10 games and improved to 11-6 in the season series.

Up next is what figures to be a low-scoring contest between Chris Sale (11-13, 3.08 ERA) and Rick Porcello (13-8, 4.45).

Sale has posted a 2.27 ERA against Detroit this year, limiting Prince Fielder to three hits in 13 at-bats, Hunter to four in 14 and Austin Jackson to none in 16. Reigning MVP Miguel Cabrera is 3 for 7 against Sale this year, but just 4 for 18 in his career.

Perhaps those Tigers hitters should emulate Victor Martinez, who is 10 for 14 off Sale this year.

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