Chicago @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( May 25, 2016 ) Cleveland 4, Chi. White Sox 3

The Chicago White Sox are starting to show signs of life and have an opportunity to gain ground in the American League Central when they kick off a seven-game road trip with three against the Cleveland Indians beginning Friday. Chicago (33-33) lost 14 of 18 before taking two of three from Detroit earlier this week as rookie shortstop Tim Anderson provided a lift since being moved to the lead-off spot in the order by going 6-for-16 against Detroit.

"He does a lot of things well,'' manager Robin Ventura said of Anderson, who is batting .320 after his first six big league games. "He has speed that goes with it. Some of the plays he's been making defensively is some of what we want to see. Offensively, he's very aggressive and makes hard contact. Speed-wise, that's the best part." Cleveland (35-30) saw their lead in the AL Central shrink to one-half game over Kansas City after the Royals engineered a three-game sweep and sent the Indians home after a 4-6 road trip. "We didn't play very well. I think that's on me," Indians manager Terry Francona told reporters. "They weren't prepared to play (Wednesday), and I guarantee you that'll change." Cleveland's Trevor Bauer is 1-0 with a 2.38 ERA in three June turns and opposes Jose Quintana, who has dropped six straight starts - including one to the Indians - as Chicago scored only eight runs during his losing streak.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Jose Quintana (5-7, 2.66 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (4-2, 3.69)

Quintana allowed three runs - all solo homers - and six hits while matching a season high with 10 strikeouts in a 4-1 loss to Kansas City on Saturday. The 27-year-old Colombian hasn't won since prevailing for a fourth straight outing May 8 despite posting four quality starts since. The heart of Cleveland's order - Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana - is batting a combined .241 in 79 at-bats against Quintana, who is 5-2 with a 2.71 ERA in 15 games (13 starts) versus Cleveland after a 4-3 loss May 25 in which he struck out eight in six innings.

Bauer received a no-decision after yielding three runs (two earned) and nine hits in eight innings of the Indians' 4-3 loss at Angels Stadium on Saturday. It was the fourth straight quality start for the 25-year-old Californian, who is 3-2 with a 3.47 ERA in nine starts since joining the rotation April 30. Alex Avila is 6-for-11 and Jose Abreu 8-for-20 versus Bauer, who is 3-1 with a 3.30 ERA in nine games (seven starts) against Chicago after pitching two scoreless innings of relief in the Indians' 7-1 victory April 8.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland was 1-for-19 with runners in scoring position in the Kansas City series and scored three runs or fewer six times during the 10-game road trip.

2. White Sox RF Adam Eaton went 8-for-14 with four runs scored in the Detroit series after moving from the leadoff spot to No. 2 in the order.

3. Indians 3B Juan Uribe has missed the last three games because of a testicular contusion, but took grounders Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Indians 3, White Sox 2