Buehrle Goes for 5-0
Chicago, IL – Mark Buehrle has won at least 10 games in each of his eight previous seasons for the Chicago White Sox. Despite that run, he’s never won his first five decisions in any of those years.
After Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers was rained out, Buehrle will look to accomplish that feat Thursday night while trying to help the White Sox avoid a fifth consecutive loss in this abbreviated one-game series at U.S. Cellular Field.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook Sportsbook.com have made the White Sox -105 moneyline favorites for Thursday’s game against the Tigers. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 56% of more than 154 bets for this game have been placed on the White Sox -105.
Buehrle (4-0, 3.30 ERA) was originally scheduled to take the mound Wednesday, but the game was postponed because of rain. The game was called after a delay of 1 hour, 13 minutes. A makeup date wasn’t announced.
Buehrle, who has won both of his starts on five days rest this season, allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings of a 4-3 win at Texas on Friday for his fourth consecutive victory. The left-hander didn’t factor in Chicago’s 4-2 season-opening victory over Kansas City.
"It’s a pretty ugly 4-0,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He’s always the same. It doesn’t matter whether he’s 8-0, he does the same job.”
Buehrle won his first four starts in 2002, but lost the next two during the only 19-win season of his previous nine with Chicago (12-14).
After the White Sox lost 8-7 in 11 innings at Kansas City on Tuesday to conclude a 1-4 road trip, Buehrle will make his first start against the Tigers in 2009. He is 13-8 with a 2.96 ERA in 25 starts versus Detroit.
The AL Central rivals split an abbreviated two-game series last month at Comerica Park.
The Tigers (14-12) went 2-7 at U.S. Cellular Field last year, but come in having won three of their last four after a 9-0 victory over Minnesota on Tuesday.
Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer and drove in four for Detroit, which will be trying for a third consecutive road win.
Cabrera is hitting .452 (14-for-31) with three home runs and nine RBIs during his nine-game hitting streak. He is 4-for-10 against the White Sox this season, but 0-for-6 lifetime versus Buehrle.
Detroit placed the versatile Carlos Guillen on the disabled list Tuesday with shoulder inflammation, and hopes former Chicago slugger Magglio Ordonez can heat up after going 0-for-8 versus the Twins.
A career .311 hitter, Ordonez is batting .232 this season – but .536 (15-for-28) with two homers versus Buehrle.
"We’re not going to be able to win unless we get Guillen back healthy and producing the way we know he will, and get Magglio going,” Detroit manager Jim Leyland said.
Before Wednesday’s game was called because of rain, Leyland penciled Ordonez in as the designated hitter so he can concentrate more on his hitting.
Armando Galarraga (3-1, 3.07) looks to rebound from his first loss for the Tigers. He allowed five runs and eight hits while walking three in five innings of a 6-5 loss to Cleveland on Friday.
The right-hander gave up four hits in 6 1-3 innings of a 9-0 win over the White Sox on April 15 in his only previous start versus them.
Josh Fields and Jermaine Dye homered on Monday for Chicago, which went 4-for-26 with runners in scoring position while being swept in two games by the Royals.
"Some people on this team better check (themselves),” Guillen said. "They better think about the way we’re playing. They better be careful. I’m not afraid to make changes.”
Dye, who missed his previous two contests after being hit on the hand with a pitch Saturday in Texas, is batting .341 (14-for-41) with four homers and nine RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak against the Tigers.
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Posted: 5/7/09 12:20 AM ET
