Miami @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( May 24, 2013 ) Miami 3, Chi. White Sox 4

The Miami Marlins have scored more than three runs once in their last 12 games. That lack of offense doomed them in the series opener on Friday, and the Marlins will try again to turn it around when they visit the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night. Miami is last in the majors in runs scored, batting average, on-base percentage and slugging. The White Sox have not torn the cover off the ball but have won three of their last four.

Chicago got an RBI single from Jeff Keppinger in the bottom of the 11th inning to take the series opener 4-3 on Friday and has won seven of its last 10 games thanks to a pitching staff that has held the opposition to four runs or fewer in each of those victories. That staff turns next to Jake Peavy, who put up one of the few duds in that stretch. The quality of the opposing pitching has not mattered much to Miami, which is averaging 1.9 runs over its last 16 games. Eight of the nine players in the Marlins’ starting lineup on Friday finished the game with batting averages of .250 or worse.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco (3-5, 3.96 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Jake Peavy (5-2, 3.31)

Nolasco has been one of the few bright spots for Miami and is coming off his longest outing of the season, an eight-inning effort against Arizona in which he allowed one run and struck out 11 to earn the win. The burly right-hander has surrendered three earned runs or fewer in seven of his 10 starts. Nolasco made one start at Chicago on May 21, 2010, and was beaten up for eight runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Peavy struggled with his command at Los Angeles on Sunday and needed 117 pitches to get through six innings while walking five. The veteran right-hander, who had issued a total of eight walks in his previous seven starts, took the loss in that game. Peavy has not faced Miami since moving to the American League and has little track record against anyone on the current Marlins team other than Juan Pierre (10-for-40) and Placido Polanco (9-for-17).

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox LHP Chris Sale (shoulder tendinitis) is scheduled to throw on the side before Saturday’s game.

2. Florida RHP Nathan Eovaldi (right shoulder inflammation) will make a rehab start for Class A Jupiter on Saturday.

3. Chicago RHP Jesse Crain made his 19th straight scoreless appearance on Friday.

PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Marlins 2