Chicago White Sox (79-82) at Detroit Tigers (85-76), 1:05 p.m.

Sports Network | October 4, 2009

(Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers turn to ace Justin Verlander this afternoon, as they try to salvage the finale of their three-game series with the Chicago White Sox and avoid an epic collapse in the process at Comerica Park.

Detroit is now tied with the Minnesota Twins atop the American League Central standings with one game to play. The Tigers, of course, could win the division outright with a win and a Twins loss today. However, they could also miss out on the postseason with a loss and a Minnesota victory.

No team in major league history has led a division or league by three games with four games to play and not won.

"I hope we get tight, to be honest with you," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "We've done everything we can to make them aware of the [race], to embrace it, enjoy it. For whatever reason, it hasn't seemed to work. Maybe if they tense up a little bit, maybe they'll be better. I don't know."

Should the teams remain tied after today's action, a one-game playoff to determine the division champion would be contested on Tuesday at the Metrodome.

Detroit, which has had a magic number of two since Wednesday, is hoping that history that does not repeat itself. It was back in 2006 when the Tigers needed just one win over their final five games to close out their first division title since winning the AL East in 1987. Things, though, did not go as planned and they lost all five games, allowing the Twins to capture the title.

Luckily, though, the Tigers had the wild card to fall back on that season and managed to advance to the World Series.

After Minnesota took care of business against Zack Greinke and the Kansas City Royals, the Tigers went out and dropped their third straight game, falling 5-1 to the White Sox.

Detroit held a seven-game lead over Minnesota on September 6 but has since gone 10-15. It is now in danger of becoming the first team to be in first place on May 10 and stay atop a division until losing the title in the last week.

"I didn't want it to come down this close to the wire, but it is. We know the situation. I don't know if we didn't play well, but we just didn't hit again," Leyland added.

Alex Rios went 4-for-5 with three RBI, and Carlos Quentin added a solo homer in Chicago's fifth win in six games.

Rookie Alfredo Figaro (2-2) was forced into a spot-start -- just the third of his career -- and gave up two runs on three hits and a pair of walks while recording just four outs for Detroit.

Freddy Garcia (3-4) picked up the win and scattered one run, six hits and a walk in seven-plus innings.

"[Garcia] threw the ball real well. He surprised me he went that far. That guy can pitch, there's no doubt about it," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.

So, today it will be Verlander, as he shoots for a career-best 19th win of the season. The hard-throwing right-hander won his second straight start on Tuesday against the Twins, holding them to four runs and eight hits in eight innings to up his season mark to 18-9 to go along with a 3.45 ERA.

"He's our ace," third baseman Brandon Inge said. "That's what you have him for."

Verlander beat the White Sox the last time he face them, but is 4-9 lifetime against them with 4.97 ERA in 16 starts.

Chicago, meanwhile, will turn to lefty John Danks, who is 13-10 with a 3.69 ERA. Danks went the distance on Monday to beat the Cleveland Indians, who managed just a run and three hits off of him.

Danks has faced the Tigers seven times and is 2-2 with a 3.74 ERA.

Chicago has won nine of its 17 meetings with the Tigers this season.