Cleveland @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 1, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 1, Cleveland 6

The Cleveland Indians squandered a chance to take over the lead for the second wild card in the American League and now are forced to make a charge during a seven-game road trip. The Indians begin a four-game set at the skidding Chicago White Sox on Thursday locked in a five-way battle for the last playoff spot. Cleveland is 1 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay for the second wild card, but it also sits one-half game behind the New York Yankees and is tied with Baltimore.

The Indians lost two straight to Kansas City after winning the series opener and are just one-half game in front of the Royals. The White Sox, on the other hand, have lost 11 of 13 after dropping two of three versus Detroit - scoring one run in the back-to-back losses. A number of Chicago players are immersed in slumps - Adam Dunn has one hit in 24 at-bats, rookie Avisail Garcia is in a 1-for-15 rut and Alexei Ramirez was hitless in 11 at-bats in the Detroit series.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), CSN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (8-5, 3.54 ERA) vs. White Sox LH John Danks (4-12, 4.45)

Kluber made a triumphant return from the disabled list in his first start in a month, giving up two runs on five hits in five innings to beat the New York Mets. He came within one out of a complete game against the White Sox on July 31 but wound up with a no-decision after allowing four runs and eight hits. Kluber is 1-1 with a 4.03 ERA in four appearances (three starts) versus Chicago.

Danks appeared to turn a corner after winning back-to-back starts and giving up two runs over 14 innings, but he has regressed in his last two turns. He served up three homers in a 4-0 loss at Baltimore last time out and was knocked around for six runs on 11 hits at Boston in his previous start. Danks limited the Indians to two runs on two hits in six innings on July 29, but he is 4-8 with a 4.73 ERA in 17 outings against them.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland has won eight straight against Chicago on a pair of four-game sweeps.

2. Danks has yielded nearly as many home runs (14) as walks (16) in his last 10 starts

3. Indians SS Asdrubal Cabrera is 3-for-29 this month.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, White Sox 3