(Sports Network) - Dontrelle Willis makes his American League debut this afternoon when the Detroit Tigers continue their three-game series with the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park.

The 26-year-old lefty, who was acquired along with Miguel Cabrera from Florida this offseason, had his worst year as a pro last season, losing 15 games and pitching to a 5.17 ERA. The Tigers hope the change of scenery will get Willis back to being the pitcher that won the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 2003, and 22 games in 2005.

Willis, who agreed to a three-year extension with the Tigers shortly after the trade, has started one game against the White Sox in his career, but it wasn't good and it didn't last long. Willis surrendered four runs and three hits, while walking three batters in one inning before leaving with a forearm injury. However, he did not receive a decision in that one.

Chicago will counter with Gavin Floyd, who split time last season between the bullpen and rotation. The 25-year-old went 1-5 with a 5.02 ERA in 10 starts but pitched to a 3.19 ERA over his final five starts.

Floyd is 1-0 with a 2.66 ERA in four starts against the Tigers.

In the opener of this set on Friday, A.J. Pierzynski drove in five runs, hitting the decisive three-run home run and propelling Chicago to an 8-5 victory.

Pierzynski finished the day 3-for-5 with a pair of runs scored, and the Sox pounded out 13 hits on their way to a second consecutive victory. Jermaine Dye also went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and a RBI, while Carlos Quentin slammed a two-run homer.

Boone Logan (1-0) earned the win with a scoreless sixth, as four Chicago relievers held Detroit's bats in check following a rocky start from 36-year- old right-hander Jose Contreras. Contreras was charged with five runs - four earned - on 10 hits and four walks in five-plus innings, striking out two and walking away with a no-decision.

Detroit starter Nate Robertson didn't fare much better, getting tagged for five runs on seven hits and a pair of walks over his five frames. Zach Miner tossed a scoreless sixth, but Jason Grilli (0-1) surrendered the three-run homer to Pierzynski in the seventh to take the loss.

Clete Thomas and Ivan Rodriguez had three hits apiece for the Tigers, off to their first 0-4 start since the 2003 season, when they opened 0-9 and went on to an American League-record 119 losses.

Chicago won 11 of 18 meetings with the Tigers last year, including six of the nine encounters held at Comerica Park. Since 2005, the White Sox have posted a 20-9 record in Detroit.