Los Angeles @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Mar 29, 2010 ) LA Angels 7, Chi. White Sox 7
In his last start, Joe Saunders outpitched the perfect pitcher.
The assignment won't be any easier tonight when Saunders takes the mound for the Los Angeles Angels against the Chicago White Sox.
Saunders pitched his best game of the season Friday when he threw a four-hit shutout against Oakland and Dallas Braden, who was making his first start since throwing a perfect game versus Tampa Bay.
He had struggled in his previous starts, but was simply the better pitcher in beating Braden. He struck out six, walked two and threw 109 pitches in his second career complete game as the Angels won 4-0.
Saunders' opponent is no slouch in this battle of left-handers. John Danks has been one of Chicago's few bright spots in its dismal season to date and has pitched much better than his record indicates.
Danks has lost his last two starts despite pitching well in both games. He held Toronto to two runs and struck out seven in seven innings, but his teammates did nothing to help him in a 2-0 loss. Danks was just as impressive in last start, which ended in a 3-2 loss to Minnesota. He went seven innings, giving up three runs for the first time this season.
Danks has been one of the few things manager Ozzie Guillen has been able to count on as his team nears the 40-game mark. He has pitched seven innings three times and eight innings twice, failing to go six innings just once. Danks has allowed one earned run three times and two earned runs in three other starts, but most of that good work has gone for naught thanks to the offensive funk the White Sox have been in all season.
While Saunders will pitch for the road team, he's certainly been at home at U.S. Cellular Field. He is 2-0 with a 1.66 ERA in three career starts in Chicago's ballpark.
The Angels were swept in a two-game series in Texas, including an 8-7 loss Tuesday. That series began a stretch that sees Los Angeles play 21 of 27 on the road, where the Angels are 6-12.
The White Sox defeated Detroit 6-2 on Tuesday in the lone game of what was scheduled to be a two-game series. Monday night's game was rained out. Freddy Garcia allowed two runs in six innings while Juan Pierre's two-run double in the fourth put the Sox ahead for good. Carlos Quentin had three hits and drove in two runs.