Seattle @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 6, 2013 ) Seattle 3, Chi. White Sox 4

Alex Rios seeks to homer for the third consecutive day when the Chicago White Sox conclude a three-game series against the visiting Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Rios hit the tiebreaking two-run homer off Seattle ace Felix Hernandez in Saturday’s victory and hit a solo shot in Friday’s outing. Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma will attempt to cool Rios down in the finale. Seattle has lost three of four after winning its first two games.

The Mariners have some new members but are once again struggling with the bats. Seattle has scored three or fewer runs in four of its six games and has a collective .224 average. “Every single game we’ve played this year, we’ve had runners on base and are just missing that timely hit in the gap or whatever it may be,” Mariners outfielder Michael Saunders said after Saturday’s loss. Rios isn’t experiencing any offensive issues and is batting .389 in 18 at-bats. “It’s all about the confidence,” Rios said after the White Sox improved to 3-2. “When you have that confidence, you go up to the plate and you just think about seeing the ball and hitting the ball. You don’t think about other things that kind of change your approach.”

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (1-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Chris Sale (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Iwakuma was solid in his first outing of the season, allowing one run and two hits in six innings while beating Oakland. Iwakuma struck out seven and walked none. He has allowed just one hit – a homer by Adam Dunn – in five innings against the White Sox. Both his appearances against Chicago were in relief.

Sale tossed 7 2/3 shutout innings while beating Kansas City in his season debut. He struck out seven while giving up seven hits and one walk. Sale was 2-0 with a 2.93 ERA in two outings against the Mariners last season. He fanned 19 in 15 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago is 25-5 against Seattle since the beginning of the 2010 campaign.

2. White Sox INF Jeff Keppinger is 1-for-21 on the season and Seattle 2B Dustin Ackley is 1-for-19.

3. Mariners C Jesus Montero is 3-for-7 with a homer against Sale.

PREDICTION: White Sox 8, Mariners 5