Atlanta @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 23, 2010 ) Atlanta 2, Chi. White Sox 4

The Chicago White Sox regained their momentum by beating up on weaker opponents. They’ve proven they’re legitimate contenders again by handling the best team in the National League East.

The White Sox have shaved six games off their deficit in the American League Central Division in just two weeks. Thursday, they’ll try to become the first team this year to sweep a series from the Atlanta Braves, who were 34-14 since the start of May and had won five straight entering the series.

A large part of Chicago’s recent success has been the resurgent Carlos Quentin, who has homered three times and driven in six runs in the series. Quentin was batting under .200 in the middle of May, but is on a 12-for-37 tear to raise his average to .227.

Quentin has hit 11 homers in 221 at-bats, proving his power stroke is back after an injury-riddled 2009. Quentin is again looking like the player who hit 36 homers in 130 games two years ago. Should he remain healthy, Quentin will provide a huge boost to a lineup that desperately needs another bat.

The White Sox have won 12 of their last 13 and now trail the Minnesota Twins by just 3 1/2 games in the Central. Chicago won six straight over Pittsburgh and Washington, but couldn’t be considered all the way back in the division race until now. The Sox are two games over .500 for the first time since last August.

Now they’ll hope Gavin Floyd can continue on his comeback trail. Floyd hasn’t won since May 22, and before that his only other victory came on April 29.

He may have a lousy record and inflated ERA (5.20), but Floyd has been fantastic in his last three starts, posting a 1.23 ERA despite going 0-1. Bobby Jenks has been equally good, converting 11 straight save opportunities, including Wednesday night. Jenks moved ahead of Roberto Hernandez and into second place on Chicago’s all-time list with 162.

Atlanta will counter with Derek Lowe, who will try to help the Braves avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season. He is 4-1 in his last six starts.

In a minor move that could have major long-term impact, catcher Clint Sammons cleared waivers after he was taken off the 40-man roster. That means Atlanta has an available slot should it make a trade to land another impact player between now and July 31.

As for other future moves, it’s been widely speculated that GM Frank Wren would like Fredi Gonzalez to replace Bobby Cox after Cox retires after the season. That scenario become a lot more likely Wednesday when Gonzalez was unexpectedly fired by the Marlins. Wren, though, won’t comment on potential candidates until Cox manages his final game this season.