Cleveland @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2012 ) Cleveland 4, Chi. White Sox 5
The Chicago White Sox attempt to build off their comeback victory in the series opener when they host the Cleveland Indians in the middle contest of their three-game series on Tuesday afternoon. Adam Dunn hit a solo home run in the sixth inning and a three-run shot in the eighth to turn a 3-1 deficit into a 5-3 lead. The blasts, Dunn's 40th and 41st of the season, helped Chicago snap a five-game losing streak and maintain its one-game lead over Detroit in the American League Central.
The Indians have lost eight of their last nine contests and 12 of 16. They also have dropped nine of their first 13 meetings with the White Sox this year, with five games remaining in the season set. Cleveland is in danger of losing a series for the 21st time in 23 tries. The team's only two series victories in that span came against Detroit.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), CSN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (1-4, 5.36 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Francisco Liriano (6-11, 5.24)
Kluber did not receive a decision against Minnesota on Thursday after allowing three runs and five hits in six innings. The 26-year-old has surrendered 12 runs over 14 2/3 frames in three starts since notching his first career victory on Sept. 3 at Detroit. Kluber made a relief appearance against Chicago last season, walking two and striking out one in one inning.
Liriano is coming off a no-decision at Kansas City on Thursday, when he yielded three runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old Dominican is 3-1 with a 5.09 ERA in 11 games - 10 starts - since being acquired from Minnesota. Liriano has posted a 5-5 record and 3.51 ERA in 17 career meetings with the Indians, including five relief appearances.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dunn has reached the 40-homer mark for the sixth time in his career and first since 2008, when he split the season between Cincinnati and Arizona. He joined teammate Paul Konerko, Frank Thomas, Albert Belle, Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome as the only members of the White Sox to reach the plateau.
2. Indians OF Michael Brantley missed the series opener with a sore groin suffered over the weekend against Kansas City.
3. Chicago RHP Jake Peavy may be pushed back a day to Thursday, when the White Sox begin a four-game series against Tampa Bay.