Chicago @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 28, 2012 ) Chi. White Sox 5, Texas 2

Less than one full week after a five-game losing streak had knocked it out of first place in the American League Central, The Chicago White Sox have rebuilt a 2 1/2-game lead by winning five consecutive games. The last two of those victories have come at the expense of the Texas Rangers, who have seen their once-comfortable lead in the AL West shrink to only 3 1/2 games over surging Oakland. The White Sox have won eight of their last 10 games at The Ball Park in Arlington.

Despite their recent struggles, the Rangers have been the most well-balanced team in baseball for most of the season, ranking third in the majors in runs scored while also ranking among the American League leaders in most pitching categories. The White Sox have gotten solid starting pitching while also boasting a powerful lineup that features major league home run leader Adam Dunn, who hit his 31st round-tripper of the season in Saturday’s 5-2 Chicago win. Chicago's rotation also got a boost when the White Sox acquired left-hander Francisco Liriano from Minnesota on Saturday.


TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, CS Chicago, FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Gavin Floyd (8-8, 4.46 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Roy Oswalt (3-1, 5.22)

Floyd suffered through a rough stretch in late May and early June, but he has been pretty tough of late, winning four of his last five starts and holding the opposition scoreless in three of those outings while posting a 1.84 ERA. He hasn’t been as effective on the road this season, going 1-5 with a 4.81 ERA in seven starts. One of those losses came at Texas on April 8 (5 2/3 innings, five runs - four earned, three homers).

Oswalt’s first American League season has been very much hit or miss, and the White Sox were responsible for the biggest miss, tagging the veteran right-hander for 11 runs (nine earned) and 13 hits in 4 2/3 innings on July 3. Oswalt has been considerably better in his two starts since, yielding just two runs and eight hits in 12 innings of work. He is 2-0 with a 3.44 ERA at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas OF Josh Hamilton has tortured Floyd, going 8-for-13 (.615) against him with two doubles, a homer and five runs batted in. Conversely, OF Nelson Cruz and SS Elvis Andrus are a combined 2-for-23.

2. The White Sox are a combined 45-for-147 (.306) against Oswalt, with Dunn (22-for-83, nine doubles, five homers, 14 RBIs, 14 walks, 28 strikeouts) accounting for more than half those at-bats.

3. Chicago is the only team in the major leagues that has five players with at least 15 home runs: Dunn (31), Paul Konerko (17), A.J. Pierzynski (16), Alex Rios (16) and Dayan Viciedo (16).