Cleveland @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2013 ) Cleveland 3, Chi. White Sox 1

The Cleveland Indians are taking advantage of a weak September schedule to draw closer in the American League wild-card race. The Indians look to continue their strong play against inferior opponents when they visit the last-place Chicago White Sox again on Saturday. Cleveland, which took the first two games of the series by a combined 17-4 score, is 1 1/2 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the second wild card.

The Indians play 12 of their final 15 games against teams with losing records, including four more against the AL Central-rival White Sox and four at home versus the league-worst Houston Astros next week. Cleveland is not relaxing down the stretch, going 8-4 in September while holding opponents to an average of 3.3 runs. That strong pitching is having an easy time against Chicago, which has totaled five runs during its four-game losing streak.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Ubaldo Jimenez (11-9, 3.62 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Andre Rienzo (2-1, 4.50)

Jimenez is looking like a pitcher the Indians can count on down the stretch as he has held opponents to three or fewer earned runs in each of his last nine outings. The Dominican has struggled with his command throughout his career but issued a combined two walks in his last three starts, including none while striking out 10 over seven innings against Kansas City on Monday. Jimenez issued four walks and struck out eight while allowing three runs over five frames at Chicago on June 29.

Rienzo pulled himself out of a rut by holding the Baltimore Orioles to one run on four hits in 6 2/3 innings on Sunday. The 25-year-old rookie was knocked around for five earned runs in each of his previous two starts. Rienzo made his major-league debut at Cleveland on July 30, posting season highs of six strikeouts and seven innings while yielding three runs in a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Indians have taken 10 straight from the White Sox and hold a 13-2 edge in the season series.

2. Chicago is 22-40 against the AL Central and 32-50 versus teams with winning records.

3. Cleveland RHP Justin Masterson (left oblique) played catch up to 90 feet on Friday and will continue a throwing program.

PREDICTION: Indians 9, White Sox 3