Chicago @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 7, 2013 ) Seattle 3, Chi. White Sox 4

The underachieving Chicago White Sox are on pace to lose 90 games as their season officially became one-third completed. Chicago (24-30) attempts to end a season-high six-game losing streak on Monday when it opens a three-game series against the host Seattle Mariners. Chicago was blanked for the second time in three games while losing to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday and has been outscored 33-9 during the skid.

Seattle is nine games under .500 as it opens a 10-game homestand that includes visits from the New York Yankees and Houston Astros. The Mariners were pounded 10-0 by the Minnesota Twins on Sunday and have tallied just 17 runs over their last six games. Seattle will likely be without outfielder Michael Morse (quadriceps) for the sixth consecutive contest while Chicago hopes to have designated hitter Paul Konerko (neck) in the lineup after he missed Sunday’s loss.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH John Danks (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Joe Saunders (3-5, 5.57)

Danks is making his third start of the campaign and he allowed three earned runs in each of the first two. The former 15-game winner missed slightly more than a year with a shoulder injury before returning against the Miami Marlins on May 24. Danks is 7-4 with a 2.96 ERA in 12 career starts against Seattle.

Saunders has pitched well at home and is 3-1 with a 2.41 ERA in five outings at Safeco Field. He received a no-decision on the road in his last outing when he held the San Diego Padres to one run and four hits in seven innings. Saunders is 4-4 with a 4.24 ERA in nine career starts against the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle closer Tom Wilhelmsen has blown three of his last four save opportunities after converting his first 11.

2. The White Sox activated 2B Gordon Beckham (hand) from the disabled list and INF Tyler Greene was designated for assignment.

3. Mariners C Kelly Shoppach is 3-for-20 with 10 strikeouts against Danks.

PREDICTION: Mariners 4, White Sox 3