New York @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 5, 2013 ) NY Yankees 1, Chi. White Sox 8
With the initial drama surrounding Alex Rodriguez behind them, the New York Yankees attempt to rebound from a series-opening drubbing when they visit the Chicago White Sox for the middle contest of their three-game set on Tuesday. Rodriguez was activated from the disabled list and went 1-for-4 in his season debut in Monday's 8-1 loss just hours after receiving a massive 211-game suspension from Major League Baseball as a result of his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal as well as his alleged interference in the investigation. Rodriguez announced he will appeal the ban, which is slated to begin Thursday and will run through the 2014 season, and be eligible to play until an arbitrator makes a ruling.
The White Sox took advantage of the fragile state of the Yankees, erupting for three runs in the first inning and two in each of the next two frames. Alex Rios collected four RBIs while Alexei Ramirez went 4-for-5 and drove in two runs as Chicago halted its 10-game losing streak. The loss was New York's sixth in nine contests and dropped it to 2-4 on its eight-game road trip.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, WWOR (New York), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Hiroki Kuroda (10-6, 2.38 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Chris Sale (6-11, 2.92)
Kuroda settled for a no-decision on the road against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday despite scattering just five hits over seven scoreless innings. It was the fourth time in five outings the 38-year-old native of Japan did not allow a run, as he went 3-0 with a 0.55 ERA in that span. Kuroda, who has gone 4-1 over his last nine starts, is 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA in three career turns against Chicago.
Sale suffered his ninth loss in 10 decisions Thursday, when he surrendered five runs and 10 hits in five innings against the Indians in Cleveland. The 24-year-old All-Star has allowed fewer than four earned runs eight times over his last 11 outings but has just one victory in that span. Sale won his only career start against the Yankees, giving up just one run and three hits while striking out 13 in 7 2/3 frames on Aug. 22, 2012.
WALK-OFFS
1. Four of Kuroda's six losses this season have come on the road.
2. White Sox LF Dayan Viciedo is day-to-day after leaving Monday's opener in the first inning with a jammed left thumb.
3. New York C Francisco Cervelli and minor-league OF Fernando Martinez also were suspended Monday, receiving - and accepting - 50-game bans for their role in the Biogensis case.
PREDICTION: Yankees 4, White Sox 1