Tigers-White Sox Preview

In an ideal world, the Detroit Tigers would need just one pitcher to complete Thursday's Independence Day matinee against the host Chicago White Sox -- starter Matthew Boyd.

Seeing closer Shane Greene appear in a save situation would be an acceptable alternative to such efficiency, however. Greene is tied for third in the American League with 22 saves and still boasts a 1.13 ERA after enduring a blown save -- just his second of the season -- on Wednesday night.

On Sunday, Greene learned he'd be the club's representative for the July 9 All-Star Game in Cleveland.

"It feels good," Greene said. "This is what I've worked for and obviously, we want to win baseball games around here, but to get recognized as one of the best in the game so far this year, it feels good."

Greene is the second successive Detroit closer to make the All-Star team. In 2018, fellow right-handed reliever Joe Jimenez earned the distinction for the midsummer classic.

The pitchers are close friends and can attest to a new shared elation.

"In the offseasons, when I'm working out, I always joke, like, 'Hey, what are you doing? I'm prepping for the All-Star game,'" Greene said. "So, to be able to say that I'm an All-Star is definitely an accomplishment, personally. But I don't play this game to just be an All-Star. I want to win a World Series, so that's the goal here."

Struggling at 27 games under .500 after the White Sox swept a doubleheader on Wednesday, the Tigers remain a long shot for playoff contention in the near term.

Still, there have been bright spots, including Boyd, the staff ace who struck out 11 Texas Rangers in his most recent start Wednesday. Trouble was, Boyd (5-6, 3.72 ERA) also allowed a trio of solo home runs in the fifth inning. He has yielded 10 home runs in his past five starts after allowing seven homers in his first 12 starts.

Boyd is 2-5 with a 4.30 ERA in 11 career starts against Chicago, including 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in one start this season. He initially was set to start in Tuesday's scheduled series opener, but his outing was pushed back when the game was postponed due to rain.

The same rings true of White Sox scheduled starter Reynaldo Lopez. Lopez (4-7, 6.12 ERA) had completed his full pre-game warmup routine on Tuesday when persistent heavy rain entered the area just before first pitch, prompting Chicago to hold him back until the series finale.

Lopez is 2-2 with a 2.86 ERA in nine career starts against Detroit. He has pitched effectively against the Tigers in two starts this season, going 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA while striking out 22 batters in 12 innings.

The White Sox hope to form a young, successful nucleus in their starting rotation, with Lopez factoring prominently into the equation. All-Star righty Lucas Giolito has done his part, and Chicago was encouraged by the major league debut of Dylan Cease, who defeated the Tigers in Wednesday's doubleheader opener with five solid innings.

"It was incredible," Cease said. "Even when I walked out pregame, (fans) were lined up from third base all the way behind the bullpen cheering. That much energy definitely helped me lock in. And it's pretty cool, too."

--Field Level Media