Cleveland @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 23, 2013 ) Cleveland 0, Chi. White Sox 0
Asdrubal Cabrera was the subject of ridicule among his teammates over the weekend when he bruised his left wrist falling down the steps on his way to the dugout, but he got the last laugh in his return to the lineup. Following Tuesday’s rainout, he’ll try to help the Cleveland Indians collect their fourth straight win Wednesday when they conclude their three-game series against the Chicago White Sox. Cabrera missed Sunday’s game with the injury, but delivered a go-ahead, two-run single in Monday’s 3-2 win.
Two areas of strength for the White Sox have let them down during their four-game slide. Chicago committed the fewest errors in baseball in 2012, but four of its 13 miscues have come during the losing streak. “As far as us playing defense (this poorly), you don’t see it coming,” manager Robin Ventura said. “Every night (we) are making that one mistake and at this level it is going to hurt every time you do it.” Chicago’s bullpen – considered another strength – entered this series third in the league with a 2.22 ERA but has surrendered six runs over its last six innings, ruining a pair of strong outings from Gavin Floyd and Dylan Axelrod.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Zach McAllister (1-2, 3.12 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Jose Quintana (1-0, 2.55)
McAllister, who has yet to allow more than three earned runs in any of his three starts, took the loss in Thursday’s 6-3 setback against Boston. The right-hander gave up three runs and six hits over a season-low five innings, walking his first three batters of the season but striking out a season-high seven. McAllister, who won his only other turn against Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field, is 2-0 with a 2.66 ERA in four career starts against the White Sox.
Quintana enters Tuesday with a 13 2/3 consecutive scoreless-inning streak spanning his past two starts. He collected his first win in last Wednesday’s 7-0 victory over Toronto after two no-decisions, limiting the Blue Jays to five hits and striking out seven over 6 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old hurler was dominant in an April 12 start at Cleveland, allowing one hit and striking out seven over seven innings. Quintana is 1-0 with a 0.93 ERA and 0.57 WHIP in four all-time appearances – including two starts – against the Indians.
WALK-OFFS
1. Seven of Cleveland’s eight wins are against last-place teams.
2. The White Sox are hitting .161 during their four-game losing streak.
3. The Indians, who posted a 24-12 record in one-run games last season, are 4-1 in such games in 2013.
PREDICTION: White Sox 3, Indians 2