Tampa Bay @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 27, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 10, Chi. White Sox 4

The Tampa Bay Rays busted out of their offensive funk in a big way on Saturday. They will try to keep up that offensive pace and earn a split of the four-game series when they visit the Chicago White Sox in the finale on Sunday. The Rays pounded out 19 hits in Saturday’s 10-4 triumph, besting their run total from the previous three games combined. The White Sox had gotten strong starting pitching in winning the first two games.

That starting pitching broke down when Gavin Floyd was forced out with a strained muscle in the third inning on Saturday, and it will be up to Dylan Axelrod to keep the pressure off an over-worked bullpen on Sunday. The Chicago offense, surprisingly, has been anchored by Adam Dunn in the series. The much-maligned slugger came into the series batting .100 but homered in the first game, put together his first multi-hit game since April 3 in the second and added another solo blast in the third. The Rays have leaned on Evan Longoria for seven hits in the three games.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH David Price (0-2, 5.52 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Dylan Axelrod (0-1, 3.80)

The reigning Cy Young Award winner has made five starts and has yet to earn a win in 2013. Price turned in his longest outing of the season against New York on Tuesday and allowed three runs and eight hits in eight innings in a loss. The left-hander has not walked a batter in either of his last two turns. Price has not had much success against the White Sox in his career and owns a 2-4 record with a 3.46 ERA in six starts.

Axelrod has been strong in three of his four turns but has not gotten much run support. The 27-year-old allowed a run and three hits in six innings against Cleveland on Monday but was left out of the decision as Chicago went on to lose 3-2. Axelrod has made one relief appearance in his career against the Rays and did not fare well, yielding three runs (two earned) and walking three in 1 2/3 innings. Matt Joyce homered off him in that appearance.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay C Jose Molina (quadriceps contusion) left Saturday’s game after being hit by a pitch and is day-to-day.

2. White Sox 1B Paul Konerko and RF Alex Rios are a combined 17-for-34 with three homers off Price.

3. Chicago INF Jeff Keppinger (back spasms) has missed the last two games.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, White Sox 4