Cleveland @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 18, 2011 ) Cleveland 4, Chi. White Sox 2
THE STORY: Second place in the American League Central is on the line when the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox open a four-game series at U.S. Cellular Field on Thursday night. That isn't what either team expected to be at stake a few days ago, but the Detroit Tigers have pushed both clubs out of the race. Detroit swept a three-game series from Chicago at home last weekend and did the same to Cleveland at Progressive Field. The White Sox trail the Tigers by nine games while the Indians are 9 1/2 back.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), CSN (Chicago).
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians LH David Huff (2-3, 2.81 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Gavin Floyd (12-10, 4.45 ERA)
There hasn't been much middle ground in Huff's six starts. When he's been on - as he was in six shutout innings against Oakland two starts ago - he's been very good. When he hasn't had command of his fastball - as was the case when he allowed five runs in six innings against Kansas City in his last start - the results have been much different. Huff is 2-0 lifetime against the White Sox, but has an 8.04 ERA and has given up two home runs in six at-bats to A.J. Pierzynski.
Floyd is 3-0 in his last five starts and hasn't lost since Aug. 3. He has posted a 2-0 mark and allowed six earned runs in 21 1/3 innings against Cleveland this season. Five of those runs came at home last month when he lasted only 5 2/3 innings. Floyd dominated the Indians in his two previous starts and is 6-3 with a 4.57 ERA against them in his career. Kosuke Fukudome is 1-for-11 lifetime against Floyd.
ABOUT THE INDIANS (70-70): Cleveland's hopes of staying in the division race were crushed over the last three days. Manager Manny Acta's biggest job now will be to make sure the effects of the sweep don't carry over to this series. The Indians had won seven of 10 before the Tigers hit town, but that momentum was stopped in its tracks. It will be interesting to see how Cleveland finishes the season. The Indians have handled the loss of several key players, but getting swept by the Tigers will be difficult to overcome.
ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (71-70): Chicago's chances of getting back in the division race are slim, but it appears there is some good news ahead. Carlos Quentin, who hasn't played since injuring his left shoulder on Aug. 20, could be back in the lineup this weekend. He took batting practice Wednesday for the first time since the injury, which occurred while making a diving catch against Texas. Quentin is batting .255 with 24 home runs and 77 RBIs. Wednesday night's 5-4 loss to Minnesota snapped Chicago's three-game winning streak.
FINAL PITCH: Juan Pierre is one hit away from 2,000 for his career. He has a hit in his only career at-bat against Huff.