Chicago @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 27, 2011 ) Chi. White Sox 3, Seattle 0

THE STORY: Before the Chicago White Sox can seriously challenge for the American League Central crown, they have to get back above .500. The White Sox can climb over the break-even mark by finishing off a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Chicago evened its record with Saturday’s 3-0 victory behind a complete-game three-hitter by John Danks. The White Sox trail the Detroit Tigers by 7 1/2 games and sit third in the division, one game behind Cleveland. Seattle has the fifth-worst record in baseball and is 17 1/2 games out of first place in the American League West.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), ROOT (Seattle).

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Gavin Floyd (11-10, 4.45 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Jason Vargas (7-11, 4.18 ERA)

Floyd has won five of his last six decisions and has pitched at least 6 2/3 innings in all five of the victories. He gave up just three hits in seven shutout innings while beating Texas in his last outing. Floyd has walked just one batter in each of his last four starts. Floyd is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two starts against the Mariners this season and is 3-4 with a 4.66 ERA in 13 career appearances (11 starts). Ichiro Suzuki is batting .344 in 32 career at-bats against Floyd.

Vargas has lost six of his last seven decisions and has pitched four innings or less in three of the losses. He received a no-decision in his last start when he gave up two unearned runs in seven innings against Cleveland. Vargas wasn’t involved in the decision when he pitched against the White Sox in June. He gave up three runs in 7 1/3 innings. He has a 4.74 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against Chicago. Paul Konerko is 4-for-8 with a homer against Vargas.

ABOUT THE MARINERS (56-75): Mike Carp is batting just .111 in his last six games after putting together a 20-game hitting streak. Carp has struck out multiple times in all six contests and has fanned 14 times in 27 at-bats. Rookie third baseman Kyle Seager is batting .531 during an eight-game hitting streak. He had one of Seattle’s three hits during Saturday’s loss. Ichiro went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 10 games and is batting .356 during the span. Outfielder Casper Wells fanned in all three at-bats Saturday and is 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts over the last three games. First baseman Justin Smoak (nose) is slated to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (65-65): Paul Konerko recorded his 87th RBI on Saturday to continue his quest for the sixth 100-RBI season of his career. Konerko has driven in just 11 runs in August despite batting .351 during the month. Alejandro De Aza hit his second career homer in the victory. Outfielder Alex Rios was scratched from Saturday’s lineup with a sore hand. Outfielder Carlos Quentin (shoulder) was placed on the disabled list retroactively to Aug. 21. Quentin has 24 homers and 77 RBIs. Highly regarded prospect Dayan Viciedo was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte to fill the roster spot. Catcher A.J. Pierzynski (wrist) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte early this week.

FINAL PITCH: The 22-year-old Viciedo wasn’t in the lineup Saturday and is beginning his second stint with the White Sox this season. Chicago signed him to a four-year, $10 million contract three years ago after he defected from Cuba.