Chicago @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 21, 2011 ) Chi. White Sox 8, Cleveland 4

THE STORY: The Chicago White Sox can move into second place in the American League Central with a win over the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on Thursday night. Chicago trails Cleveland by a half-game after Wednesday's 8-4 win. The White Sox have taken 11 of the 17 games in the series, which ends Thursday. Chicago is 10-2 in its last 12 games in Cleveland and has outscored the Indians 81-51 in that span

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Philip Humber (9-8, 3.59 ERA) vs. Indians RH Jeanmar Gomez (4-2, 3.78 ERA).

Humber helped keep the White Sox within striking distance in the division, but has slipped badly the last two months. He's 1-4 with a 5.59 ERA in his last nine starts. He allowed six runs and nine hits in six innings against Kansas City in his most recent outing. Humber has no decisions in four career games against the Indians. He was hit in the head by Kosuke Fukudome's line drive on Aug. 18.

Gomez is making a case to be in next season's rotation. He's 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA in his last four starts. Gomez won his only career appearance against the White Sox on Sept. 9 in Chicago. He allowed two runs and didn't walk a batter in six innings. Gomez has walked only six batters in his winning streak, which has been a big key to his success since he's not overpowering.

ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (76-79): Alejandro De Aza is taking advantage of his opportunity. He's also winning a fan in manager Ozzie Guillen. De Aza's two-run single in the seventh inning put Chicago ahead for good Wednesday night. He's 5-for-13 in the three-game series and has become a fixture in the lineup since being recalled from Triple-Charlotte in late July. De Aza is batting .350 (36-for-103) in his last 32 games.

ABOUT THE INDIANS (76-78): The bullpen, a strength of the team most of the season, is staggering to the finish line. Setup men Joe Smith, Vinnie Pestano, Tony Sipp and Rafael Perez are among the league leaders in appearances. Manager Manny Acta has backed off in using them since the Indians were eliminated from the division race. The alternatives, such as Chad Durbin, who allowed three home runs in the eighth inning Wednesday, haven't gotten the job done.

FINAL PITCH: Chicago right fielder Carlos Quentin, who hasn't played since Aug. 20 because of an injured left shoulder, could be done for the season. Guillen doesn't want to rush Quentin back into the lineup, especially since the best the White Sox can do is finish second.