Seattle @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 3, 2012 ) Seattle 2, Chi. White Sox 4
Coming off their first home sweep of the New York Yankees in 21 years, the Chicago White Sox would normally be wary of a letdown against an opponent they have dominated in the past three seasons. However, the White Sox can hardly afford to ease up against the red-hot Seattle Mariners, who are riding an eight-game winning streak. Chicago holds a 1 1/2-game lead over the Detroit Tigers atop the American League Central as it seeks its sixth win in seven meetings with Seattle.
The Mariners have pulled within 6 1/2 games of the second wild card on the heels of the eight-game run, but all the wins came at home and now they must try to conquer one of their biggest nemesis. Seattle is 4-21 against the White Sox since the start of the 2010 season and has won just three times in their last 19 visits to the Windy City. The Mariners will send Jason Vargas to the mound to oppose Jake Peavy in the series opener.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), CSN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Jason Vargas (13-8, 3.53 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Jake Peavy (9-9, 3.11)
Vargas has pitched brilliantly in the past two months, logging a 6-1 record with a 1.95 ERA over his last 10 starts. He did not factor in the decision last time out, giving up two runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings against Minnesota. While he has posted a 9-5 record away from home this year, he's struggled in his career against the White Sox, going 0-1 with a 7.13 ERA in four starts.
Peavy is 2-4 in seven starts since the All-Star break. He lasted only 5 1/3 innings in his last outing, allowing five runs - three earned - on nine hits in a loss at Kansas City. Peavy has enjoyed great success in his career against Seattle, posting a 5-1 record and 2.21 ERA in eight starst. That included a no-decision against the visiting Mariners on June 1, when he gave up two runs on three hits in 6 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The White Sox have hit 38 homers in August, the most in the majors.
2. Seattle is seeking its first nine-game winning streak since May 27-June 5, 2003.
3. Mariners CF Michael Saunders has four homers and seven RBIs in his last four games.