Sox-Tigers preview

Entering this series, many questions are to be asked. Was that series with Kansas City a fluke? Is Detroit ready to break out in front of a team that has lost 3 straight? Is Loazia ready to pitch in a big league game as the Chicago White Sox' prized number 4 starter? Many questions will be answered as anticipated. Now on Detroit, this is their projected starting lineup, while Chicago counters with their own explosive lineup.

G. Kingsale, CF

O. Infante, SS

D. Young, LF

B. Higginson, RF

D. Palmer, DH

C. Pena, 1B

E. Munson, 3B

B. Inge, C

R. Santiago, 2B

Chicago White Sox

D. Jimenez, 2B

J. Valentin, SS

F. Thomas, DH

M. Ordonez, RF

P. Konerko, 1B

C. Lee, LF

J. Crede, 3B

A. Rios

M. Olivo, C

The pitching matchup is most excellent.

Loazia vs Undecided

Loaiza has an outstanding ability to locate his pitches somewhere in the strike zone, but it's his location within the zone that gets him into trouble. Strange as it sounds, scouts say Loaiza throws too many strikes. When he expands the zone by working the corners and wasting the occasional pitch, he is much more effective. As it is, hitters sit back and wait for their pitch, without being intimidated. His repertoire includes a two-seam and four-seam fastball running 88-92 MPH, an 80-MPH changeup and an 82-84 MPH slider. He added a cutter midway through the season, and turned in a strong showing in August before faltering in September. A naturally fluid delivery keeps his arm in good shape. Otherwise, coaches involved with Loaiza throughout his career have been dismayed by dubious work habits in between starts. It is commonly believed that he has the ability to steady the roller-coaster performances and become a reliable 12-15 game winner, and so he tantalizes and frustrates.