Cleveland @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( May 27, 2012 ) Cleveland 6, Chi. White Sox 12
The Chicago White Sox attempt to maintain their slim lead in the American League Central when they begin their final homestand of the regular season Monday with the opener of a three-game series against the last-place Cleveland Indians. Chicago is returning home from a 1-5 road trip that concluded with a fifth straight loss, 4-1 to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. Dayan Viciedo drove in the lone run for the White Sox, who have been outscored 21-8 during their losing streak.
Chicago received plenty of help Sunday from the Minnesota Twins, who swept a doubleheader at Detroit to drop the Tigers one full game behind the White Sox in the Central. Cleveland could play a major role in determining who wins the division as it plays Chicago six times over the final 10 days of the season. The Indians ended their seven-game losing streak against Kansas City on Sunday with just their fourth win in 15 games, but they have lost 20 of their last 22 series.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), CSN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Zach McAllister (5-8, 4.31 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Chris Sale (17-7, 2.82)
McAllister is seeking his first victory since Aug. 11 against Boston. The 24-year-old fell to 0-4 over his last seven starts when he yielded four runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings of a loss to Minnesota on Wednesday. McAllister began his season with a win over Chicago on May 7, when he allowed four runs - two earned - in six frames.
Sale is coming off a loss at Kansas City on Wednesday in which he allowed three runs and eight hits over 6 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old, who is a legitimate Cy Young Award contender in his first season as a starter, has been tremendous at home, going 9-2 with a 1.72 ERA in 12 outings. Sale won both of his starts against Cleveland this year, yielding a total of two runs and six hits in 12 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. McAllister is just 1-7 over his last 12 outings.
2. Sale has posted a 1.20 ERA while going 8-0 in his last nine starts at home.
3. The White Sox won eight of their first 12 meetings with the Indians this year.