Filling in for an injured Doug Fister, Adam Wilk makes his first career start this afternoon when the Tigers left-hander toes the rubber against the White Sox.
Wilk, an 11th-round draft choice in 2009 by the Tigers, had five relief appearances and logged a 5.40 ERA last season. The 24-year-old native of Anaheim, Calif. went 24-12 with a 2.58 ERA in 60 career minor league starts.
Gavin Floyd counters for the White Sox. The veteran lost his first start on April 8 at Texas, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He's 6-2 in 17 career starts against Detroit.
On Friday, Jake Peavy tossed 6 2/3 strong innings and the White Sox opened the home portion of their schedule with a 5-2 victory. Peavy (1-0) gave up just two hits and two runs to go with eight strikeouts and one walk for the White Sox, who have won five straight home openers.
Dayan Viciedo hit a solo homer for Chicago, which improved to 4-2 on the young season. Brent Morel, A.J. Pierzynski and Paul Konerko each knocked in a run.
Detroit starter Max Scherzer (0-1) allowed three runs on five hits in six full frames to take the loss in the opener of this three-game set. He struck out 11 and walked one and had just enough trouble with a less-than-familiar White Sox lineup.
"They've got different guys, but you have to respect all of them," Scherzer said. "All of them are good hitters. But that's pitching in the big leagues. That's pitching in the AL -- nothing changes."
Today will be the eighth of nine straight day games to open the season for the Tigers, the longest streak by an AL club since the White Sox in 2004.
Detroit was 13-5 against the White Sox a year ago with six of those wins coming in the Windy City.
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