The Detroit Tigers climbed all the way from the depths of the American League Central into the wildcard race after taking two of three from the Cleveland Guardians this week at Comerica Park. The good guys scored a 3-0 win on Thursday behind a strong start from Keider Montero, along with Tyler Horton and Kenley Jansen, who combined to shut out the visitors without striking out a single batter.
Next up for the Motor City Kitties is another important intradivision battle — this time against the AL Central-leading
Chicago White Sox this weekend in Detroit. Getting the start is right-hander Jackson Jobe, who will be making his second appearance this season after returning from Tommy John surgery.
In the 24-year-old’s first outing against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park, he tossed five frames of one-hit, shutout ball while walking one and striking out four. Jobe earned a win for his efforts as the team went on to record an 8-0 victory.
For the ChiSox, left-hander Sean Newcomb will make just his second start of the 2026 campaign in Friday night’s opener. The 33-year-old journeyman’s only other start, incidentally, came against the Tigers back on June 20, when he threw three perfect innings while racking up four strikeouts along the way; the Olde English D went on to prevail that day on their home field, 4-1.
Newcomb also tossed 2 2/3 innings of scoreless, hitless ball in relief against the Tigers on May 29 in Chicago, surrendering a walk and striking out three in a game the Sox ultimately won in extras, 4-3.
Here is how the two hurlers match up in Friday night’s series opener at Comerica Park.
Detroit Tigers (60-61) vs. Chicago White Sox (62-58)
Time (ET): 6:40 p.m.
Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
SB Nation Site: South Side Sox
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Game 122: RHP Jackson Jobe (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. LHP Sean Newcomb (1-3, 2.66 ERA)
JOBE
NEWCOMB
