Cleveland @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 24, 2013 ) Cleveland 2, Chi. White Sox 3

The Cleveland Indians have been one of the streakiest teams in the American League this season and are currently riding one of their positive swings. That could spell doom for the Chicago White Sox, who host the Indians in a split doubleheader on Friday. The White Sox have dropped two of their last three and are sitting in last place in the AL Central.

Cleveland split a four-game set at the Baltimore Orioles this week and has won six of its last nine contests while getting solid pitching. The Indians will test that rotation by inserting youngsters Trevor Bauer and Carlos Carrasco, each of whom have been up and down between the majors and minors this season, into both ends of the doubleheader. Chicago ranks in the bottom third of the majors in most offensive categories and was shutout 3-0 against the New York Mets on Wednesday.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), Comcast SportsNet Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 8.40 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Jose Quintana (3-2, 3.83)

Carrasco has failed to finish five innings in three of his four starts this season, including a 4 2/3-inning stint against Minnesota in a loss on Sunday. The right-hander is trying to re-establish himself in the majors after missing all of 2012 following Tommy John elbow surgery. Carrasco has never beaten Chicago in four career starts, going 0-3 with a 6.15 ERA.

Quintana has allowed two earned runs in each of his last three starts but has been held out of the decision in each due in part to an inability to get deep into the game. The Colombia native has totaled 10 innings in his last two turns. Quintana beat Cleveland on April 24, yielding two runs on four hits in five innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Indians got in late to Chicago after Thursday’s game in Baltimore ran long due to a 78-minute rain delay.

2. Chicago SS Alexei Ramirez is 14-for-35 (.400) in his last eight games.

3. Cleveland 3B Lonnie Chisenhall has hit in five straight games and recorded a season-high three hits on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Indians 9, White Sox 8