Chicago @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 30, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 4, Cleveland 7

The reeling Chicago White Sox have turned their attention toward 2014 - and Wednesday's original starter is not a part of those plans. The White Sox will likely turn to Dylan Axelrod on Wednesday night against the host Cleveland Indians after dealing ace Jake Peavy to the Boston Red Sox late Tuesday. Peavy's initial start was pushed back from Tuesday in anticipation of a possible trade prior to Wednesday afternoon's non-waiver deadline.

Whoever starts Wednesday will be tasked with ending an ugly five-game skid that has dropped the White Sox 24 games below the .500 mark. The Indians are headed in the opposite direction thanks to a six-game winning streak bolstered by a 3-2 win in Monday's series opener and a come-from-behind 7-4 triumph the following night. Cleveland added some bullpen help Tuesday, acquiring left-hander Marc Rzepczynski from St. Louis for a minor-leaguer.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, WCIU (Chicago), STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Dylan Axelrod (3-6, 5.17 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (7-5, 3.74)

Originally bumped from the rotation earlier this month after Peavy returned from a fractured rib, Axelrod returns in search of his first victory since May 26. His last start was a dreadful one, as he was tagged for seven runs on 11 hits over 5 2/3 innings in a one-sided loss to the Detroit Tigers. Axelrod, who turned 28 on Tuesday, has a 4.08 ERA in 17 2/3 career innings against Cleveland.

When asked earlier this month if he expected Kluber to be one of his staff's most effective pitchers in 2013, manager Terry Francona answered flatly: "No." Kluber has gone from being beaten out of the No. 5 spot by Scott Kazmir in the spring to becoming a key member of Cleveland's rotation, surrendering just nine runs over his last five starts. The 27-year-old is 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA in 13 2/3 innings against the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Indians are 9-2 against the White Sox in 2013; Cleveland hasn't won a season series with Chicago since 2007.

2. White Sox OF Alex Rios suffered a foot contusion Tuesday and is day-to-day.

3. Cleveland C Yan Gomes is 9-for-22 with seven RBIs in six games against the White Sox this season.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, White Sox 4