Detroit Tigers rookie right-hander Keider Montero has faced all but one of the club's American League Central rivals. That's set to change Friday as the Tigers visit the Chicago White Sox, who are trying to win consecutive games for the first time since late June. Montero (4-5, 5.
28 ERA) will aim to keep the Tigers' flickering AL wild-card hopes alive. After winning three of four after the All-Star break, Detroit has played three games under .500 over the past month.
Montero has contributed to more bright spots than most lately, winning three straight starts as part of a solid August in which he is 3-1 with a 3.52 ERA. On Saturday, Montero spaced two hits, two walks and five strikeouts in five-plus shutout innings to defeat the New York Yankees.
"He's got really good stuff; he just has weapons," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said.
"It's not just about his fastball and slider. His changeup has gotten better, and when you put that together, he's been very effective." Detroit wants to regroup from the first leg of its seven-game road trip to the Windy City.
The crosstown Chicago Cubs thumped the Tigers 10-2 on Thursday afternoon to earn a series victory. Spencer Torkelson provided Detroit's lone runs with a two-run home run in the seventh inning. It was Torkelson's first homer since he was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Aug.
17 after being optioned there June 3. "It just shows me that my approach works and my natural swing, my natural hitting ability is going to come through when .