The Detroit Tigers began June en fuego, winning seven of their first nine games this month, including series wins over a pair of division-leading teams — a sweep of the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays and taking two of three from the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners. Since taking two of three from the Minnesota Twins at home, however, the team has reverted back to its losing ways.
After that hot start to the month, the Motor City Kitties have dropped four of five, with a de facto two-game
sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Guardians and dropping two of three to the Houston Astros. Next up are the Chicago White Sox, who have been rather surprising so far in 2026 and are in a battle with the Guardians for the top spot in the AL Central.
Opening things up at home for a three-game weekend series against their division rivals is ace left-hander Tarik Skubal, whose return from the injured list last time out against Cleveland was a bit underwhelming. The 29-year-old lasted just 4 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs (two earned) on five hits (one home run) and a walk while striking out four and hitting a batter in for his third loss in a 3-1 defeat.
For the ChiSox, right-hander Erick Fedde will take the mound on Friday night for just the second start in his last six appearances. The 33-year-old’s previous start came against the Twins on June 3, when he tossed five frames of scoreless ball on two hits and a walk while striking out a pair for his first and only win of the season.
The game before that, Fedde faced the Tigers in relief, throwing four frames of two-run ball, allowing four hits (one home run) and three walks while striking out three in a game Chicago went on to win in extras, 4-3.
Here is how the two match up in the series opener on Friday.
Detroit Tigers (30-44) vs. Chicago White Sox (38-34)
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 75: LHP Tarik Skubal (3-3, 2.81 ERA) vs. RHP Erick Fedde (2-5, 4.50 ERA)
SKUBAL
FEDDE
