Chicago @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Oct 1, 2012 ) Chi. White Sox 11, Cleveland 0
Despite a dominating performance in the series opener, the Chicago White Sox saw their postseason plans go up in smoke after the Detroit Tigers claimed the American League Central title by defeating Kansas City approximately an hour later. The White Sox have no one to blame but themselves after winning only three of their last 13 games. With nothing more than pride at stake, Chicago will return to Progressive Field on Tuesday to face the Cleveland Indians.
Dayan Viciedo belted a grand slam and Adam Dunn collected two RBI singles as the White Sox cruised to an 11-0 triumph on Monday. Every member of the starting lineup recorded at hit for Chicago, which exerted more time looking at the out-of-town scoreboard than dispensing with Cleveland. Shin-Soo Choo had a two-out single in the third inning off starter Hector Santiago to extend his hitting streak to 11 games.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CS Chicago, STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Chicago RH Jake Peavy (11-12, 3.37 ERA) vs. Indians RH Justin Masterson (11-15, 5.03)
Peavy defeated the Indians on two occasions this season - albeit with vastly different performances. After allowing only one run in seven solid innings May 9, the 31-year-old yielded seven in 6 1/3 innings in another victory 17 days later. Peavy, who is 4-3 in his career versus Cleveland, settled for a no-decision after permitting only two runs in 7 1/3 innings against Tampa Bay on Thursday.
The wheels have come off the season for Masterson, who is mired in a three-game losing skid and yielded at least four runs in his last four outings. The 27-year-old issued four runs and as many walks in 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision versus Chicago on Wednesday. Masterson has faced the White Sox on four occasions this season, posting a 1-1 mark.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago's Alex Rios, who went 2-for-5 on Monday, is 11-for-22 during his six-game hitting streak. Rios has struggled versus Masterson, going 8-for-34 in his career.
2. Choo is 8-for-18 in his career versus Peavy.
3. Chicago's Alejandro De Aza has missed three consecutive games with the flu.