New York @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( May 2, 2010 ) Chi. White Sox 3, NY Yankees 12
The New York Yankees visit the Chicago White Sox looking to pull away from the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East Division.
The Yankees (78-49) are tied with the Rays at the top of the division with the best records in the bigs after dropping two of three games in their series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Yanks also lead the league in runs per game, putting up 5.30 per contest. Second baseman Robinson Cano is enjoying a breakout season, batting .322 with 25 home runs and 87 RBIs.
New York sends A.J. Burnett (9-11, 4.80) to the mound Friday. The up-and-down right-hander is trying to find his groove again after going 0-3 in his last four starts.
He has allowed 18 runs over that stretch and is coming off a 6-0 loss against Seattle in which he gave up 12 hits and two home runs over seven innings. This will be Burnett’s first start against the White Sox this season.
New York manager Joe Girardi wants to cut out any distractions as his team heads down the stretch. Recent rumors suggest Girardi may be looking to leave the Yankees following this season to take over as manager for the Chicago Cubs. Girardi broke into the league with the Cubs, but says he won’t address the issue with the media again after today.
The White Sox (69-58) sit 3 ½ games behind the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins. Chicago comes into this one having lost seven of its last 11 games, but has been great at U.S. Cellular Field for much of the season. The White Sox are 24-7 in their last 31 home games.
Chicago, which sits second in the league with 78 quality starts from its starting rotation, counters with Freddy Garcia (10-5, 5.08 ERA). Garcia has just one win in his last four trips to the mound, allowing 16 runs and seven home runs over that stretch.
Garcia took the no-decision in a 6-5 loss at Kansas City his last time out. He allowed six hits and his team-high 21st home run of the year over 6 2/3 innings, and he has had problems against the Yankees. Garcia is winless with a 6.14 ERA over his last six starts against New York.
New York, which should have Nick Swisher back in the lineup after he sat out Wednesday’s game with a sore knee, played 20 straight days before Thursday’s day off.