The Detroit Tigers have won five straight, but that hasn't bought them any breathing room in the AL Central.
The Tigers, who play the New York Yankees tonight in Game 2 of a four-game series, are still 1.5 games back of the Chicago White Sox. The Sox are on a nice little streak of their own -- they've won seven of 10 and four of their last five. They also get the lowly Kansas City Royals, owners of the worst record in the American League, in five of the next 12 games, so their upcoming schedule is conducive to more Ws.
Starter Rick Porcello, 8-6 with a 4.65 ERA, will try to keep the Tigers going Tuesday. He's gotten knocked around in his last two starts -- nine runs in 11.2 innings -- but did pitch six innings with one earned run against the Yankees in June.
First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 7:05 Eastern.
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