Chicago @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 5, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 3, Tampa Bay 8

Two of the best young left-handed pitchers in baseball meet when Matt Moore and the Tampa Bay Rays host Chris Sale and the Chicago White Sox in the second contest of a three-game series on Saturday. Moore’s 11 victories tie him for third in the league and Sale is among the top 20 in ERA while pitching in bad luck most of the season. The Rays have won six of their last seven games, including an 8-3 triumph Friday, and the White Sox have dropped seven of nine.

Desmond Jennings has been a major catalyst in the leadoff spot for Tampa Bay this week, recording three hits each in three of the last four games while stealing four bases. James Loney has also hit safely in 16 consecutive games for the Rays and White Sox slugger Adam Dunn has 23 homers, but struck out three times in the series opener.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Chris Sale (5-7, 2.79 ERA) vs. Rays LH Matt Moore (11-3, 3.65)

Sale has gotten very little run support in the first half of the season, losing five straight decisions over his last six starts despite a 3.19 ERA. The 24-year-old has 114 strikeouts and 24 walks over 106 1/3 innings, and opponents are only batting .202 against him. Sale allowed two runs over seven innings to beat Tampa Bay on April 25 and is 2-1 lifetime in five appearances (three starts) versus the Rays.

Moore has followed up three losses with three victories, yielding only four runs over 19 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old, who gave up one run over six innings to beat the White Sox on April 27, has struck out 92 and walked 51 in 93 2/3 innings. Dunn is 2-for-7 with a pair of homers when facing Moore, who is 2-1 with a 1.47 ERA in three career starts against the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay has committed only one error in the last 11 games and 35 overall -- third lowest in the majors.

2. The White Sox are 9-8 against the American League East and 25-41 against everyone else.

3. Rays C Jose Lobaton is 3-for-4 with two walks and a homer in his career against Sale.

PREDICTION: White Sox 3, Rays 1