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Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 19, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 2, Chi. White Sox 1
In a season marked by valleys and no peaks worth noting, among the lowest points for the Chicago Cubs was getting swept at home by the rival Chicago White Sox last month in a three-game interleague series. That was part of a 12-game skid that sent the Cubs careening toward the bottom of the National League standings. The Cubs still own the second-worst record in the majors, but they are exacting revenge on the White Sox and can complete a three-game sweep Wednesday at U.S. Cellular Field.
Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to the Cubs was the sixth loss in seven games for the White Sox and knocked them out of first place in the American League Central, a half-game behind the Cleveland Indians. The Detroit Tigers are also closing in on the White Sox, who managed only four hits in Tuesday's loss and dropped to 16-20 at home. The White Sox have lost five straight series but will need a win in the series finale to avoid being swept in that span.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, WGN, Comcast Sports (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Randy Wells (1-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Gavin Floyd (4-7, 5.621 ERA)
Wells will make his first start in nearly two months when he takes the place of Ryan Dempster, who went on the 15-day disabled list. Wells made a pair of starts in place of Dempster in April with mixed results, holding Cincinnati to two runs in five innings but lasting only 3 2/3 innings at Philadelphia. He walked nine and struck out five over 8 2/3 innings in the two starts.
Since blanking Kansas City on five hits over 7 2/3 innings on May 11, Floyd has been in a major slide. He is 1-4 with a horrid 10.38 ERA in his last six starts. During that stretch, he has surrendered 11 home runs and failed to pitch beyond six innings. Floyd is 0-3 with a 3.67 ERA in four career starts against the Cubs, but he has held them to a .202 batting average.
WALK-OFFS
1. The White Sox dropped out of first place in the AL Central for the first time since May 28.
2. Cubs SS Starlin Castro is 4-for-9 with a homer and four RBIs lifetime against Floyd.
3. White Sox C A.J. Pierzynski has five hits in six career at-bats against Wells.