Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scoreboard - Live Odds - Sporting Events - Live Lines

(Sports Network) - The struggling Detroit Tigers continue a six-game road trip with the first of three straight matchups with the Chicago White Sox this evening at U.S. Cellular Field.

After losing their first seven contests of 2008 -- including three to the White Sox last weekend -- the Tigers temporarily broke out of their funk with a 7-2 victory over defending world champion Boston on Wednesday. Detroit couldn't build any momentum off that win, however, as the Red Sox pounded out 13 hits en route to a 12-6 triumph in last night's finale of a three-game series.

Tigers starter Nate Robertson allowed four runs and eight hits over the first 5 1/3 innings to suffer his first loss of the season. The bullpen was even worse, as relievers Zach Miner, Francis Beltran and Yorman Bazardo combined to give up eight runs over a total of 2 2/3 frames.

Ivan Rodriguez went 3-for-3 with two runs scored for Detroit, while Brandon Inge and Placido Polanco each had two RBI and Magglio Ordonez hit his first home run of the season in a losing cause.

The Tigers now have to face a Chicago club that outscored Detroit by a whopping 26-10 margin in last week's series sweep. The White Sox also had the benefit of an off day on Thursday, as their scheduled game with Minnesota was postponed due to rain.

Chicago split its first two encounters with the Twins, but had a five-game win streak halted with a 12-6 loss on Wednesday.

John Danks was lit up for seven runs on seven hits in just 2 1/3 innings for Chicago. Nick Masset, the first man out of the White Sox bullpen, was tagged for five runs on six hits - including a grand slam by Minnesota's Jason Kubel - over 3 2/3 innings.

Chicago did receive solo home runs from Nick Swisher, Paul Konerko and Joe Crede on the evening.

Jose Contreras will make his second straight start against Detroit tonight after being pushed back a day due to Thursday's rainout. The erratic right- hander wasn't particularly sharp when he faced the Tigers on April 4, as Contreras gave up five runs -- four earned -- along with 10 hits and four walks in a five-inning no decision.

The 36-year-old is 8-6 with a 4.44 earned run average in 20 career outings against Detroit.

The Tigers counter with Dontrelle Willis, who had an odd Detroit debut in last Saturday's 5-3 loss to Chicago. The former Florida Marlin allowed only one hit in five-plus innings in that game, but he walked seven White Sox hitters and wound up not factoring in the decision.

The exciting left-hander was acquired by the Tigers in a blockbuster offseason trade that also landed star third baseman Miguel Cabrera in Detroit. In five season with the Marlins, Willis compiled a 68-54 record and was twice named to the National League All-Star team.

Willis had faced Chicago once previously prior to Saturday's showdown. In that game, he was roughed up for four runs and issued three walks in just one inning before leaving with a forearm injury.

The White Sox have won 14 of 21 meetings with the Tigers since the start of the 2007 campaign, and Detroit has gone just 10-18 in Chicago over the previous three seasons.