The Chicago White Sox have mustered just two wins in their past 10 games and fell hard in Friday's 10-3 defeat against the Detroit Tigers. Chicago has dropped out of the AL Central top spot and Detroit is now just 2 1/2 game behind it in the standings, but the White Sox should pick up a win today with their ace on the hill.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The White Sox hand the ball to Chris Sale (9-1, 2.29 ERA) as the left-hander looks to end a two-game winless drought. Sale had won nine straight decisions this season prior to the slump and he's 7-5 with a 3.02 ERA in 24 career games (14 starts) against the Tigers who counter with Mike Pelfrey (0-5, 4.96). The right-hander is 0-4 with a 6.20 ERA in eight career starts against the White Sox and has struggled with Avisail Garcia who is 6-for-15 with a double in the match-up.

2. Situational - Chicago has won 10 of Sale's last 12 starts and it's 4-1 in Sale's last five starts against Detroit. The Tigers have lost eight of their last 11 when facing a left-handed starter.

3. X-Factor - White Sox are 7-2 in their last nine games with umpire Alan Porter calling the strikes and the road team is 24-11 in Porter's last 35 games behind home plate.

Selection: This is a play on the Chicago White Sox (8*)