Texas @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( May 25, 2011 ) Chi. White Sox 1, Texas 2

THE STORY: The Texas Rangers begin a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Friday at U.S. Cellular Field. The American League West leaders will be fighting fatigue after playing a night game in Los Angeles on Thursday and flying into the Windy City around 5 a.m. on Friday. Texas also should be in a foul mood as it blew a 1-0 lead over the Angels in the ninth inning and had its six-game winning streak snapped. Chicago, which is four games behind first-place Detroit in the AL Central, has dropped two straight after beginning its nine-game homestand by winning three of four contests.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, TXA-21 (Texas), WCIU (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Matt Harrison (10-8, 3.19 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Jake Peavy (5-5, 4.69 ERA).

Harrison is coming off a no-decision at Oakland on Sunday in which he allowed six runs - four earned - over 5 1/3 frames, ending his streak of consecutive starts of at least six innings at 11. The 25-year old has won five of his last seven decisions but surrendered four earned runs in three of his last five outings. Harrison is 2-0 with a 3.04 ERA in four career starts against Chicago.

Peavy also received a no-decision in his last outing as he yielded four runs in 6 2/3 innings against Kansas City on Saturday. The former NL Cy Young Award winner has gone 1-4 with a 5.04 ERA in eight starts since making his first career relief appearance on June 25 vs. Washington. Peavy has made two career starts against Texas, going 0-1 while allowing eight runs in 9 1/3 innings for a 7.71 ERA.

ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (61-62): Right-hander Phil Humber left Thursday's start against Cleveland in the second inning after being hit in the face by a line drive off the bat of Kosuke Fukudome. Humber, who got to his feet immediately afterward, was hit above his right eye and will be evaluated Friday. Adam Dunn recorded his first two-hit performance since July 22. The slugger, who is hitting .168 this season, is batting .333 vs. the Indians this year but only .149 against the rest of the league.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (72-53): Texas' dreams of a perfect 10-game road trip ended abruptly Thursday as Los Angeles' Torii Hunter led off the ninth with a walk and Mark Trumbo followed with a game-winning, two-run homer off Mike Adams. The loss reduced the Rangers' lead over the Angels in the West to six games. Texas acquired righthander Tim Wood off waivers from Pittsburgh on Thursday and assigned him to Triple-A Round Rock. Wood appeared in 13 games with the Pirates this season, going 0-3 with a 5.63 ERA.

FINAL PITCH: "I saw it, but a little too late though. I’m not as quick as I thought. As of right now, I feel good. Just got a little pop knot on my forehead." -- Humber on being hit with a line drive Thursday.