Cleveland @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 12, 2013 ) Cleveland 14, Chi. White Sox 3

The Cleveland Indians attempt to defeat Chicago for the 10th consecutive time when they visit the White Sox on Friday afternoon in the second contest of their four-game set. Cleveland trounced Chicago 14-3 in the opener to remain 1 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay for the second American League wild card and is 12-2 against the White Sox this season with five meetings remaining. Chicago has lost 12 of its last 14 games to fall 30 below .500.

Cleveland’s Ryan Raburn returned from a heel injury and matched his career high with five RBIs in the opener by going 3-for-3 with a home run. The journeyman always has feasted on White Sox pitching, and 17 of his 70 career blasts have come against them. Chicago has 88 losses and appears to be a cinch to lose 90 games for the first time since 2007.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), CSN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Danny Salazar (1-2, 2.92 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Hector Santiago (4-8, 3.44)

Salazar has struck out 45 batters in 37 innings over his first seven major-league starts. He has pitched more than four innings in just two of his last five outings. Salazar is holding opposing hitters to a .209 average but has given up six homers.

Santiago was rocked for five runs and seven hits in 2 1/3 innings by Cleveland on June 28 but wasn’t involved in the decision of a 19-10 loss. He has only one victory over his last 13 starts despite allowing fewer than three earned runs nine times during the stretch. Santiago is 2-0 with a 4.82 ERA in eight career appearances (three starts) against the Indians.

WALK-OFFS

1. The White Sox have been outscored 24-4 over their last three games.

2. Indians 1B/OF Nick Swisher hit his 18th homer on Thursday, leaving him two shy of his ninth straight 20-homer campaign.

3. Chicago made three errors on Thursday, has committed a whopping 20 in September and leads the majors with 112.

PREDICTION: Indians 8, White Sox 3