CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox will push back pitcher Chris Sale one day and he will start Friday against the Minnesota Twins after Thursday’s game with the Detroit Tigers was postponed due to rain.
The White Sox and Tigers will make up Friday’s game at U.S. Cellular Field on Monday at 1:10 p.m. Gavin Floyd (9-10, 4.59) will start for the White Sox, and Doug Fister (9-8, 3.49) will start for the Tigers.
Sale was scheduled to start against Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander on Thursday. The game was postponed after a 1:02 rain delay.
“It’s just one of those, I think both sides you don’t want to start the game and kind of waste those guys going out there pitching if you don’t get nine innings in,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said after the game was postponed. “That was the concern.”
Sale was disappointed not to pitch against the Tigers, especially after he lost to them on Sept. 2.
“Obviously, I wanted to get back out here and face these guys one last time,” Sale said. “The time before that didn’t go too well. I want to get back out there and get us where we need to go. There’s not much you can do in this situation. Just get ready, head out to Minnesota and play hard there.”
Floyd and Fister pitched during the White Sox-Tigers’ series this week. Floyd picked up the loss in the Tigers’ 8-5 win over the White Sox on Wednesday. Floyd allowed four hits, three runs, one walk and struck out seven in 4 2/3 innings. Fister notched the win in the Tigers’ 5-3 victory over the White Sox on Tuesday. He allowed two hits, two runs, two walks and struck out six in seven innings.
Francisco Liriano, who was scheduled to start for the White Sox on Friday, will be skipped in the rotation and remain in the bullpen. Jose Quintana is scheduled to start on Saturday and Jake Peavy on Sunday against the Twins.
The White Sox lead the Tigers by one game in the American League Central. Monday’s game will be their final meeting in the regular season. Both teams were originally off on Monday.
Ventura did not believe there was any psychological advantage for the White Sox to be ahead in the division heading into the weekend.
“We’re going to play,” Ventura said. “It wouldn’t have mattered. We’re going to play the same way we’re going to play tomorrow no matter what.”