Chicago @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2011 ) Chi. White Sox 4, Baltimore 3
THE STORY: The Chicago White Sox, who own the American League's longest winning streak, look to continue their push toward the Central Division lead when they play the host Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday in the third of a four-game series. Chicago has won all five games on its seven-game road swing following a 7-6 victory Monday and a 4-3 win Tuesday. Brent Morel homered and drove in a pair of runs for the White Sox on Tuesday.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CS Chicago, MASN2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Philip Humber (8-8, 3.56 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Tommy Hunter (1-2, 4.43).
Humber has cooled off considerably after an outstanding first half, losing each of his last four starts while yielding 18 runs and 29 hits in 20 1/3 innings. Humber's struggles may be due in part to a lack of regular work - he was pushed in and out of the rotation before the trade deadline, and started only once in a three-week span from July 8-29. Humber lost an April 30 start at Baltimore despite allowing only two runs on three hits in seven innings. He has made four other appearances against the Orioles, all in relief. Hunter has pitched five innings since being acquired from Texas, and allowed five runs. He took a loss in his first start of the year on Aug. 5 when he lasted four innings and 79 pitches against Toronto. But the Orioles are hoping Hunter, who is healed from an early season groin injury, can regain the form that saw him go 13-4 with a 3.73 ERA for the Rangers in 2010. He excelled in his lone career start against the White Sox, giving up only one run in seven innings in 2010.
ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (57-58): After dropping the last six games of its recent homestand, Chicago has outscored Minnesota and Baltimore 29-13 during its current string of victories. The White Sox have been inconsistent offensively with only first baseman Paul Konerko (.305, 26 HRs, 79 RBIs) serving as a steady source of production. Right fielder Carlos Quentin is 7-for-16 with three home runs over his last four games, while catcher A.J. Pierzynski (.286) has been doing his part against the Orioles this week, going 4-for-7 with a homer and four RBIs during the first two games of the series.
ABOUT THE ORIOLES (44-69): Baltimore is the only team in the major leagues to have three different players with at least 20 home runs - third baseman Mark Reynolds (26), center fielder Adam Jones (20) and shortstop J.J. Hardy (20) - but that hasn't been nearly enough to overcome the team's struggles on the mound. The Orioles have the worst team ERA in baseball (4.84) and also rank last in WHIP (1.47) and opponent batting average (.280). Blame can be spread equally - the rotation has contributed a mere 45 quality starts, fewest in the majors, and the bullpen has converted only 19 of 33 save opportunities.
FINAL PITCH: Though Chicago has built its reputation around power hitting, the White Sox have stayed in the postseason hunt largely because of pitching, allowing fewer runs (471) than any team in the AL Central.