New York @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 27, 2010 ) NY Yankees 4, Chi. White Sox 9
The New York Yankees look to get back on track after dropping three of their last four games when they visit the Chicago White Sox on Saturday.
Despite Friday’s 9-4 loss at Chicago, the Yankees (78-50) are still tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East lead. On Saturday, New York will send its ace to the hill.
CC Sabathia (17-5, 3.02 ERA) takes the ball in search of his sixth straight win. He’s coming off a 10-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners in which he allowed three hits while striking out eight in six innings.
Sabathia has been the model of consistency for the Yankees this year. He hasn’t allowed more than three runs in a start since the end of May. Sabathia continues to lead the American League in wins and win percentage and owns a 15-4 lifetime record against the White Sox with a 3.72 ERA. He is also 8-1 over his career at U.S. Cellular Field.
The big lefty faces a Chicago offense that has averaged 6.5 runs per game over its last 11 contests. That offense could get a big boost for the stretch run over the next few days, too.
Los Angeles’ Manny Ramirez may be on his way to the White Sox (70-58) after Chicago won the waiver claim for the heavy-hitting outfielder. Now that Ramirez has been claimed, the Dodgers have until Tuesday's deadline for playoff rosters to trade him, keep him or let him walk to Chicago for nothing.
The 38-year-old Ramirez, who is a free agent at the end of the year, is hitting .313 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs in 64 games this season.
John Danks (12-8, 3.31 ERA) gets the ball for the White Sox. Danks has won only one of his last five starts - allowing five runs in two of those outings, while holding his opposition to two or fewer runs in the other three.
Danks picked up a no-decision in his last outing, holding the Kansas City Royals to two runs on six hits over six innings. He has given up three home runs over his last two starts.
The White Sox are trying to get by without their two setup men coming out of the bullpen.
J.J. Putz and Matt Thornton are both on the disabled list. Thornton was leading all American League relievers with 64 strikeouts, while Putz was working on a 2.68 ERA.
Thornton is eligible to return to the lineup Sept. 2, while Putz won’t be back until at least Sept. 9.