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The Detroit Tigers were supposed to run away with their division this season but lately they've only been running in circles. Detroit has lost nine of its last 12 games to move to a 12-12 record but will get yet another series at home to boost their stock when they start a three game set against the Chicago White Sox on Friday.
It will be a pitchers duel to start the series. Drew Smyly has been one of the pleasant surprises for the Tigers so far this year, putting up Verlander type numbers with a 1-0 record and 1.23 ERA in his handful of starts so far. He'll face the even more surprising Jake Peavy, who has dominated on the mound to the tune of a 3-1 record, 1.67 ERA and 33/5 K/BB ratio.
Runs haven't been hard to come by in recent weeks for the Tigers, but they have been very streaky with the bats so they'll need their best against a hot Peavy.
The game will be at Comerica Park at 7:05 p.m. ET.
For more on the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox, check out their respective SB Nation blogs at Bless You Boys and South Side Sox. More news and analysis on Major League Baseball in general can be found over at Baseball Nation.