Cleveland @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 17, 2011 ) Cleveland 4, Chi. White Sox 1

THE STORY: The Cleveland Indians fended off the Chicago White Sox for one night. Now they'll look to resume their march back to the top of the American League Central as they face off against the host White Sox in the finale of their three-game set. The Indians' Justin Masterson seeks his career-best 10th win of the season against White Sox veteran Philip Humber.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), CS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Justin Masterson (9-7, 2.69 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Philip Humber (8-8, 3.67).

Masterson has come a long way from the overwhelmed young hurler the Indians acquired from Boston in 2009. Now 26, the native of Kingston, Jamaica, is having a career season for the contending Indians. Masterson's key has been command - he is on pace to greatly reduce his walk rate from prior seasons, while also limiting opposing hitters to a .241 average. Humber is headed in the opposite direction, having gone 0-4 in his last five starts while surrendering 22 runs over 24 1/3 innings over that span. The 28-year-old was charged with four runs on 11 hits over six innings last time out, but was spared a decision in a game won 6-4 by the Baltimore Orioles. Humber has never started against Cleveland.

ABOUT THE INDIANS (61-58): Cleveland has overcome injuries to several key players to remain competitive in 2011. The Indians enter Thursday only two games back of first-place Detroit in the Central, and will get a chance to make up additional ground as they visit the Tigers this weekend. That Cleveland remains in the hunt for the division title despite a terrible year from Shin-Soo Choo is a testament to the improved performances of the rest of the team, but Choo will need to be better if the club hopes to make the playoffs. After hitting .300 in each of the past two campaigns, Choo is hitting only .246 this season.

ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (61-61): It hardly seems fair that Chicago has time to catch its breath while the Indians are in the opening stages of a stretch that will see them play 45 games in 44 days. The schedule definitely favors the third-place White Sox over the next few week, as they host the Texas Rangers this weekend before taking Monday off. They open a two-game series in Anaheim against the Angels before enjoying another off-day Thursday. Chicago gets another day off the following Thursday following series against Seattle and Minnesota. The White Sox roster is hitting a collective .247 in 178 at-bats against Masterson.

FINAL PITCH: Cleveland's win Wednesday ended a five-game losing streak to the White Sox. Chicago leads the season series 7-2 with the teams set to face off seven more times in September.