Cleveland @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 4, 2010 ) Cleveland 10, Chi. White Sox 1
The Cleveland Indians haven't proven to be a tough opponent for most of the American League this season.
Except when they play the Chicago White Sox.
The Indians are 7-3 against the White Sox this season, which may explain why Chicago hasn't been a factor in the AL Central race through the first two months of the season.
Cleveland is 4-1 at U.S. Cellular Field after Friday night's 10-1 win. In the contest, Indians right-hander Justin Masterson recorded his first victory in 17 starts dating back to last season and Chicago pitchers allowed 15 hits.
The White Sox have lost four straight at home to the Indians after a 2-0 victory on Opening Day.
Saturday night's game will feature another matchup between Mitch Talbot and Jake Peavy. The two met at Progressive Field on May 25 as Talbot outpitched Peavy in a 7-3 win for Cleveland.
One of the few positives for the Indians this season, Talbot held the White Sox to two runs and six hits in seven innings.
The rookie right-hander, who only made the team in spring training because he was out of minor league options, has been a major surprise. He has consistently given the Indians a chance to win. Talbot has worked at least six innings in eight of his 10 starts and has given up four runs or less eight times.
Peavy, on the other hand, has been a big disappointment - as have several of his teammates. He pitched poorly in losing to Talbot and the Indians, giving up six runs and eight hits in six innings. Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Donald homered off the right-hander.
Peavy wasn't much better against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, but happened to get the win, thanks to a good offensive day by his teammates. Lasting only 5 1/3 innings, he gave up five runs 10 hits in an 8-5 victory.
Peavy has shown few glimpses of the pitcher who dominated the National League when he was with the San Diego Padres.
After going winless in April, he showed some signs that he would turn things around by winning his first three starts in May and giving up six runs in 23 innings. However, he has looked like the Peavy of April in his last three starts, allowing 17 earned runs in 17 1/3 innings.
The White Sox are 1-3 on their nine-game homestand, which manager Ozzie Guillen referred to as crucial at the beginning of the week. Chicago is 12-16 at home this season.